Structured breathing to boost resilience and mental well-being in clinical care professionals
Enhancing Resilience And Mental Well-Being Through Breathing Practice For Clinical Care Professionals (Breathing Study-Burnout)
This study will try structured breathing exercises with healthcare workers who have burnout to see if they reduce anxiety, depression, stress, and improve sleep now and over time.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mayo Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Albert Lea, Minnesota and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07218458 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional program enrolls healthcare professionals at four Mayo Clinic Health System sites who meet a Copenhagen Burnout Inventory threshold. Participants will follow a standardized breathing protocol delivered and tracked via smartphone or tablet and will be monitored for immediate and longer-term changes in anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and sleep quality. Key exclusions include recent primary psychotic or substance use disorders, significant medical or neurological conditions, chronic lung disease, and pregnancy. Symptom measures will be collected before intervention, immediately after breathing sessions, and at follow-up time points to capture both short-term and sustained effects.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthcare professionals employed at the Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Albert Lea, Mankato, Eau Claire, or La Crosse who score ≥40 on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Q1-6 and can use a smartphone or tablet.
Not a fit: Patients with active primary psychotic or recent substance use disorders, uncontrolled medical or neurological conditions, chronic lung disease, or those who are pregnant are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this breathing program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, low-cost, non-drug way to reduce burnout-related anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep problems for healthcare workers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research on paced and diaphragmatic breathing has shown modest short-term reductions in anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbance, but application specifically to clinician burnout is less well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be healthcare professionals at the above-mentioned 4 MCHS sites (Eau Claire, La Crosse, Mankato, Albert Lea). * Must score ≥40 on Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Q1-6. * Participants must be physically fit enough to perform light exercise. * Participants should read and understand English well enough to consent, complete measures, and follow instructions. * Participants must have access to a smartphone or tablet. Exclusion Criteria: * Active primary psychotic disorder or substance use disorder (except nicotine dependence) within the past year. * Severe or unstable medical condition that could interfere with participation or data collection. * Active neurological condition (including seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury, or stroke) that could affect cognitive functioning or brain imaging results. * Chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis) or aneurysm. * Current pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the study period
Where this trial is running
Albert Lea, Minnesota and 3 other locations
- Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea — Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato — Mankato, Minnesota, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire Clinic — Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)
- Mayo Clinic Health System-La Crosse — La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pravesh Sharma, MD — Mayo Clinic
- Study coordinator: Danielle Boos
- Email: boos.danielle@mayo.edu
- Phone: 715-464-8173
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.