FOREST Program for Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress

(FOREST Trial)

Overseen By Caroline Leong, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

100 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the FOREST treatment for burnout and secondary traumatic stress?

The research highlights that burnout and secondary traumatic stress are common among professionals working with traumatized populations, suggesting a need for effective interventions. Additionally, interventions aimed at reducing burnout and improving work conditions have been shown to help reduce stress-related symptoms, which may support the potential effectiveness of the FOREST treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the FOREST Program for Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress differ from other treatments?

The FOREST Program is unique because it involves forest therapy, which uses natural forest environments to reduce stress and improve mental well-being, unlike traditional treatments that may focus on medication or counseling. This approach leverages the calming effects of nature, which has been shown to lower stress levels more effectively than urban settings. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

FOREST is a positive emotion skills program designed to target mental health and coping needs for frontline violence prevention workers at UCAN. Ten skills are taught over a period of nine months during existing meetings and wellness activities, as well as in online modules in UCAN's Learning Management System (LMS). Through infusing the FOREST skills throughout UCAN, we hope to inspire organizational culture change that will emphasize the importance of wellbeing and enhance resilience, therefore reducing burnout and turnover.

Research Team

Judith Moskowitz, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Eligibility Criteria

The FOREST trial is for frontline violence prevention workers at READI Chicago who are over 18, speak and read English, and have internet access. There are no specific exclusion criteria, so all employees meeting the inclusion conditions can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Currently employed by Heartland Alliance/READI Chicago

Has internet access

Speaks and reads English

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Skill Training

Participants receive training on positive emotion skills over nine months, with one to two skills taught each month during existing wellness meetings and online modules.

9 months

Monthly sessions (in-person and online)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mental health and coping skills, with annual assessments and interviews to gather feedback on implementation and content.

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• FOREST

Trial Overview FOREST is a program teaching ten positive emotion skills over nine months to improve mental health and coping among participants. It's integrated into regular meetings, wellness activities, and online modules within READI's Learning Management System.

Participant Groups

Group I: FOREST + Assessments Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

UCAN staff will participate in Monthly Skill Sessions and complete FOREST content modules in the Learning Management System (LMS). Staff will also be invited to complete annual assessments for primary and secondary outcome measures, as well as annual interviews and focus groups to gather feedback on progress, implementation, and content.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

Findings from Research

The Holistic Healing Arts Retreat significantly improved posttraumatic symptoms, depression, and perceived stress in women who experienced trauma, with effects lasting up to 7 months after the intervention.

The retreat also enhanced self-compassion and reduced experiential avoidance, indicating that it may address underlying emotional mechanisms common to various disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The holistic healing arts retreat: An intensive, experiential intervention for survivors of interpersonal trauma. Dutton, MA., Dahlgren, S., Martinez, M., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The prevalence and impact of post traumatic stress disorder and burnout syndrome in nurses. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Prevalence of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Professionals and Volunteers Working With Forcibly Displaced People: A Systematic Review and Two Meta-Analyses. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trauma treatment training for Bosnian and Croatian mental health workers. [2019]

4. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Workplace stressors and PTSD among psychiatric workers: The mediating role of burnout. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The holistic healing arts retreat: An intensive, experiential intervention for survivors of interpersonal trauma. [2023]

6. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy Program on Workers]. [2015]

7. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Burnout prevention: a review of intervention programs. [2022]

8. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplementation with Robuvit® in subjects with burnout associated to high oxidative stress. [2018]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health Benefits Derived from Forest: A Review. [2020]

10. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological and psychological effects of walking in stay-in forest therapy. [2019]