A brief GAmeplay Intervention for NHS ICU Staff affected by COVID-19
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised optimisation and feasibility study of a brief digital imagery-competing task intervention to support NHS ICU staff experiencing intrusive memories of traumatic events from working in the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRAS ID
297063
Contact name
Lalitha Iyadurai
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
P1vital Products Limited
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04992390
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Intensive care unit (ICU) staff are frequently exposed to traumatic events at work (e.g., witnessing patients die), amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant proportion experience intrusive memories of these events that pop suddenly into mind: they can disrupt functioning, and can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Previous research has shown that a brief behavioural intervention can reduce the number of intrusive memories people have after a traumatic event. In this study we will determine if a brief (approx. 30-minute), digital intervention can reduce the number of intrusive trauma memories experienced by ICU staff (primary outcome). We will also explore if it can improve work functioning and improve mental health indices (Secondary outcomes).
We will recruit approximately 150 ICU staff (via the Intensive Care Society) with intrusive memories of events they have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff will record a daily count of their intrusive memories for a week. Those who continue to be eligible will meet with a researcher within the next 4 weeks to be guided through the intervention for the first time. The digital intervention takes about half an hour in a session guided by a researcher, and after that can be done independently. There is no need to meet in person. Over the next 4 weeks, they will have access to the intervention and record a daily count of their intrusive memories. They will be asked to complete online questionnaires about their work functioning and mental health after 4 and 8 weeks. There will be the option to take part in a feedback interview at the end of accessing the intervention. The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, will last approximately 6 months, and will optimise the intervention for a larger randomised controlled trial. If effective, the intervention holds potential as a brief, scalable self-management tool for healthcare staff routinely exposed to trauma at work who experience intrusive memories.REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
21/WA/0173
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion