Use of personalized recommendations to improve staff wellbeing v_1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the utility and effectiveness of personalised insights and recommendations, using genetic and lifestyle data, to improve employee health and wellbeing.
IRAS ID
329916
Contact name
Stuart Grice
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
FitnessGenes Ltd.
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NCT06042452, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
With the NHS under increasing pressure and strain, the health and wellbeing of staff is an important area to prioritize, to help reduce staff stress levels and increase retention of staff. This study will look to explore how efficacious personalised insights and recommendations are, based on genetic and lifestyle information, at improving the health and wellbeing of NHS employees. It will also explore how sustainable these recommendations are for long-term change. Recruitment of NHS staff as participants will take place across multiple NHS trusts including Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
Following consent to partake in the trial, participants will be asked to complete a pre-trial questionnaire which will explore health and wellbeing interests and motivations, perceptions of genetic testing, and a baseline measure of mental and physical wellbeing using a standardised and validated questionnaire (5-item World Health Organisation Well-being Index (WHO-5)). This, and all further questionnaires, will be completed online.
Participants will undertake a DNA test provided by FitnessGenes, free of charge. This test will require participants to provide a saliva sample via a spit test. This sample will then be analysed at an ISO-accredited laboratory and results provided back to the participant within 2-3 weeks. While awaiting the results, participants will have access to lifestyle traits calculated using questionnaire data collected when creating a FitnessGenes account.
Once their genetic data is added to a participant's FitnessGenes accounts, they will be asked to spend two weeks exploring this information. A questionnaire will then be completed to reassess participant’s wellbeing measures and any changes in their perceptions of DNA testing. At this stage, some semi-structured interviews may be conducted, to those who consent to this, to gain further insight.
A 3-month follow up will be completed to assess whether the platform has had any long-lasting impacts on participants' health and wellbeing.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/1148
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion