A Brief Cognitive Task Intervention for NHS Staff Affected by COVID-19 Trauma (GAINS-2 Study)

Summary

Frontline healthcare staff are frequently exposed to traumatic events at work (e.g., witnessing patients die), amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant proportion experience intrusive memories of these events that pop suddenly into mind: they can disrupt functioning and can contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder. Previous research has shown that a brief behavioural intervention can reduce the number of intrusive memories after a traumatic event. In this study we will test the effect of a digital imagery-competing task, a digital music-listening task and treatment as usual (TAU) for National Health Service (NHS) staff with intrusive memories of work-related traumatic events from the pandemic. We test the effect on the number of intrusive memories (primary outcome), and other clinical symptoms (PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia), in addition to work functioning, general functioning and quality of life (secondary outcomes). Intervention feasibility, acceptability and implementation will also be explored (additional outcomes). We will recruit approximately 150 NHS staff (via the Intensive Care Society, social media and direct advertising by NHS Trusts) with intrusive memories of traumatic events experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust (223016/Z/21/Z).

Conditions

• Intrusive Memories of Traumatic Event(s)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Brief digital imagery-competing task

First session guided by a researcher: A memory cue followed by playing a computer game with mental rotation instructions. Option to engage in self-administered/guided sessions after the first session.

BEHAVIORAL

Brief digital music-listening task

First session guided by a researcher: Information about the composer's music followed by listening to classical music. Option to engage in self-administered/guided sessions after the first session.

OTHER

Treatment As Usual

Access to routine care that participants would otherwise receive if having intrusive memories of traumatic events.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Wellcome Trust

  collaborator OTHER

• Uppsala University (Department of Psychology)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Intensive Care Society (Communication Department)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Nottingham (Institute of Mental Health)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• P1vital Products Limited

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Emily Holmes · Uppsala University (UU), Sweden

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-12-08

Primary Completion

2023-10-30

Completion

2024-03-19

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations