NCT06977503

Electrotherapy Stimulation Together With Life Coaching for the Support of Burnout Symptoms in Healthcare Workers

A Pilot Study Using a Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) Device in Conjunction With Life Coaching to Alleviate Burnout Symptoms in HealthCare Workers (HCWs)

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Roswell Park Cancer Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This clinical trial evaluates the effect of life coaching together with Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) as an intervention to decrease self-reported symptoms of burnout, moral distress, resilience, and employee retention in oncology healthcare workers. Burnout and moral distress are occupational hazards for oncology healthcare workers. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment at work are symptoms of burnout. Moral distress may be defined as knowing the right thing to do but being unable to do so based upon internal or external constraints. The device is attached to the earlobes that uses cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) at a microcurrent to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, pain, and possibly depression. Life coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential and can increase resiliency skills such as boundary setting and prioritizing, increases in self-compassion and self-care, and potentially indirectly positively impact patient care. Undergoing the use of CES via the CES device, coupled with life coaching, may help alleviate burnout symptoms and moral distress in oncology healthcare workers.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine the efficacy of using Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) with group life coaching sessions as an intervention to decrease healthcare worker self-reported symptoms of burnout and moral distress. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine the efficacy of using Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) with group life coaching sessions as a supportive intervention to increase healthcare worker self-reported ratings of resilience, and employment retention (Organizational Wellbeing Assessment - Retention \[OWA-R\]). OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: During weeks 1-6, participants use the CES device once daily (QD) over 1 hour 5 days per week for 6 weeks on study. Participants also participate in virtual group life coaching sessions and discussions and view video assignments 3 times during weeks 1, 3, and 6. At week 7, participants exchange device for second device. During weeks 8-13, participants cross-over and use the sham device QD over 1 hour 5 days per week for 6 weeks on study. ARM II: During weeks 1-6, participants use the sham device QD over 1 hour 5 days per week for 6 weeks on study. Participants also participate in virtual group life coaching sessions and discussions and view video assignments 3 times during weeks 1, 3, and 6. At week 7, participants exchange device for second device. During weeks 8-13, participants cross-over and use the CES device QD over 1 hour 5 days per week for 6 weeks on study.

Conditions

• Psychiatric Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Cranial Electrical Stimulation (CES)	Use CES device
OTHER	Discussion	Participate in discussions
BEHAVIORAL	Health and Wellness Coach	Undergo coaching sessions
OTHER	Informational Intervention	View video assignments
PROCEDURE	Sham Intervention	Undergo sham intervention
OTHER	Survey Administration	Ancillary studies

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-05-01
• Primary completion: 2026-10-15
• Completion: 2027-10-15
• First posted: 2025-05-18
• Last updated: 2026-04-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States