Exercise Intervention for Nurse Well-being

(WELL_NURSE Trial)

Overseen By Andrea Brennan, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: AdventHealth

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how a 12-week exercise program can improve the well-being of shift-working acute care nurses at AdventHealth. The study aims to determine if exercise can enhance mental and physical health, spiritual well-being, social support, and job satisfaction. Participants are divided into two groups: one begins exercising immediately (exercise training group), while the other starts later (wait-list control group). Nurses at AdventHealth who work shifts and do not regularly exercise more than once a week may be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve the quality of life for shift-working nurses.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this exercise intervention is safe for nurses?

Research shows that exercise is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that exercise can boost well-being, work engagement, and quality of life. Being active often links to a lower risk of burnout, particularly by reducing feelings of emotional exhaustion.

This trial includes one treatment group: a structured 12-week exercise program. Programs like this have been used in many workplace studies with positive results. These studies report significant improvements in mental and physical health without major safety concerns.

Although the trial doesn't have a specific phase, using exercise as a treatment is common and usually safe. Participants will engage in monitored and structured physical activities aimed at improving overall well-being. It's always important to discuss any concerns with the study staff before joining. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the exercise intervention for nurse well-being because it emphasizes a proactive approach to mental and physical health. Unlike typical stress management techniques or pharmaceutical options, this method involves a structured 12-week exercise program that aims to enhance overall well-being through physical activity. By focusing on exercise, the intervention could potentially offer a natural, side-effect-free way to improve mood, reduce stress, and boost energy levels, which is especially beneficial for nurses facing demanding work environments. Additionally, this program empowers participants by offering them an active role in improving their health, rather than relying solely on external treatments.

What evidence suggests that this exercise intervention is effective for nurse well-being?

Research shows that exercise boosts both mental and physical health. Studies have found that exercise programs lower stress and improve overall well-being. For nurses, these benefits include better physical health and enhanced mental well-being. One study found that exercising at work helps with muscle and bone issues and reduces sick days. In this trial, participants in the Exercise Training Group will undergo a 12-week exercise program to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing well-being for nurses who work shifts. Meanwhile, the Wait-List Control Group will participate in visits for data collection and will receive the exercise training intervention at the study's conclusion. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Andrea Brennan, PhD

Principal Investigator

AdventHealth

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for acute care nurses aged 21-65, working shifts at AdventHealth, who are weight stable and speak English. They must consent to participate and commit to a 12-week exercise program. Excluded are pregnant women, those with certain chronic diseases or recent major surgery, participants in other drug studies within the last month, individuals with cardiovascular issues or malignancies not deemed cured (except some skin cancers), anyone exercising more than once weekly or diagnosed with sleep disorders.

Inclusion Criteria

Nurse working in an AdventHealth inpatient acute care setting

Understands the procedures and agrees to participate by giving written informed consent

Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, laboratory tests, and other study procedures including a 12-week exercise training program

Exclusion Criteria

I have a bleeding disorder.

Participation in studies involving investigational drug(s) within 30 days prior to Screening

Positive urine pregnancy test prior to DEXA scan

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

90 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessments

Participants complete baseline assessments after successful screening

7 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Exercise Training

Participants undergo a 12-week exercise program or are placed in a wait-list control group

12 weeks

Multiple visits (in-person and virtual)

Post-Intervention

Participants undergo repeat assessments of Phase II outcomes

7 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

A subset of psychometric questionnaires are repeated 3- and 6-months post-exercise training intervention to ascertain sustainability of the intervention

6 months

2 visits (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exercise training group
• Wait-List Control Group

Trial Overview The study examines how a structured 12-week exercise program affects mental health and overall well-being of shift-working acute care nurses compared to a group waiting to start the program. It's randomized: by chance, nurses will either start exercising right away or be placed on a wait-list.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Wait-List Control Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Wait-List control group will participate in visits every 4 weeks for data collection and periodic phone calls for monitoring. They will be offered the exercise training intervention option at conclusion.

Group II: Exercise Training Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exercise intervention group will undergo a 12-week exercise program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

AdventHealth

Lead Sponsor

Trials

118

Recruited

31,800+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5557819/

Effectiveness of workplace exercise supervised by a ... Recent studies have demonstrated that OPT was effective for improving musculoskeletal symptoms, physical health outcomes, psychological well-being, sickness ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296624000024

The efficacy of physical activity to improve the mental ... The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of exercise and physical activity interventions, delivered both in the workplace and outside of ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26835808/

Physical Activity Outcomes of Nurse-Delivered Lifestyle ... The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of nurse-delivered lifestyle physical interventions on physical activity outcomes ...

4. nurseleader.com nurseleader.com/article/S1541-4612(24)00232-5/fulltext

Nurse Well-Being Interventions A cross-sectional study was conducted surveying direct care nurses from 7 hospitals exploring nurse moral injury and preferences for nurse well-being ...

5. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-024-01815-1

the effectiveness of mixed methods approach to long-term ... A mixed methods approach, such as feedback enhanced by health coaching, effectively achieves long-term physical activity changes in nurses.

6. publichealth.jmir.org publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e49772/

Association Between Physical Activity and the Risk of Burnout ... Physical activity is often associated with a reduced risk of burnout, particularly in the domains of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10314589/

Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce ... Effective outcomes were reported in 29 studies, with significant improvements in well-being, work engagement, quality of life and resilience, ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9163756/

Nursing workplace and its relation to occupational health ... Nurses in this study reported a high prevalence of low back pain (82.7%), burnout (78.3%), and occupational injuries (70.5%). They also reported insufficient ...