WELL-being Improvement Following a SOphrology Intervention in Hospital Staff

Summary

Work stress and psychosocial risks are a major public health problem. Health-care workers (HCW) are particularly at risk. Moreover, non-HCW staff of hospitals can also be at risk, with working environment described as the main risk factor. The University Hospital (CHU) of Clermont-Ferrand is one of the 3 CHUs in France with more than 10% absenteeism, and the first CHU for duration of sick leave. The political orientations favor an approach to improve the quality of life at work.

Sophrology is a psychocorporal method used as a therapeutic technique or experienced as a philosophy of life. It is an exclusively verbal and non-tactile method. It combines a set of techniques that will act both on the body and on the mind through breathing exercises, muscle relaxation and mental imagery (or visualization). It allows to find a state of well-being and to activate all physical and psychological potential in order to acquire a better knowledge of oneself. NLP is a set of communication and self-transformation techniques that focuses on reactions rather than the origins of behaviors. NLP associated with sophrology proposes above all to mobilize the resources of the unconscious.

Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) strategies are effective in the improvement in mental (anxiety and depression), physical, and social health, both in the general population, in individuals with social/psychological problems or in patients, both in hospital settings or outside hospital. Similary, sophrology also demonstrated some benefits on symptoms of patients. However, these approaches have never been provided in the workplace for the benefits of workers at risk of stress-related disorders.

This protocol may permit improvements of stress-related outcomes. Putative short-term benefits: This protocol may incidentally detect cardiac disorders. Any abnormality discovered will not be covered by promotor's insurance (our exploratory study cannot lead to such event) and will be supported by health insurance.

In general, the investigators aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a workplace sophrology / NLP intervention for HCW at risk of stress-related disorders. Stress and well-being will be the target of the intervention, and will be measured both in a subjective (questionnaire) and objective (biomarkers).

Conditions

• Stress Related Disorder
• Sophrology
• Neurolinguistic Programming

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

sophrology / neurolinguistic programming intervention

2 sessions will be offered per week at 2 different time and will last 1 hour. They can take place in a seated or standing position, without physical contact. The sessions will consist of breathing exercises, visualization, dynamic relaxation and concentration exercises. The program is standardized: 1. Dialogue between the sophrologist and the participants. It is possible to specify the objective(s) of the session. The sophrologist can ask more specific questions to adapt the session. 2. Presentation of the conduct of the session (possible variations) and instructions promoting autonomy 3. Guided by the sophrologist, the goal is to help free yourself from tensions, to play down a situation that worries and finally to realize that we can deal with. Exercises are adapted to the difficulties encountered by the participants. 4. Time for free expression after the practice to promote the integration of the technique while giving elements to the sophrologist to guide the future sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Clermont Auvergne (UCA)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Frédéric Dutheil · University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-03-08

Primary Completion

2026-03-31

Completion

2028-03-31

Countries

• France

Study Locations