Alpha-Stim AID® Together With Life Coaching for the Support of Burnout Symptoms in Healthcare Workers

Launched by ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE · May 9, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how a combination of life coaching and a device called Alpha-Stim AID® can help reduce feelings of burnout and moral distress among healthcare workers, particularly those working in oncology. Burnout can cause emotional exhaustion and a sense of being overwhelmed, while moral distress arises when healthcare workers know the right thing to do but feel unable to act due to various pressures. The Alpha-Stim AID® device gently stimulates the brain to help reduce anxiety and improve sleep, which may support overall well-being. Life coaching aims to help participants set personal goals and improve their resilience, which could lead to better patient care.

To participate in this study, individuals need to be between 21 and 75 years old and work directly with patients, such as doctors or nurses, at the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus. They should be experiencing symptoms of burnout and be willing to attend three in-person sessions and participate in virtual coaching. Participants will use the Alpha-Stim device daily and complete short video assignments. It’s important for potential participants to be able to communicate in English, have internet access, and understand the study’s purpose. However, individuals who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions may not be eligible. This trial aims to provide valuable insights into improving the mental health and job satisfaction of healthcare workers.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 21 ≤ and ≤ 75 years old
• • Patient-facing healthcare workers (e.g., medical doctor, advanced practice provider, nurse)
• • Experiencing symptoms of burnout, as defined by a score of 1, 2, or 3 on question #2 of the Mini-Z II Survey
• • Working on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus (e.g. Roswell Park, Oishei Children's Hospital, Buffalo General, etc.)
• • Ability to attend three (3) in-person appointments, one (1) hour in duration, at Roswell Park at week 1, week 6 and week 12 corresponding to the initial, midpoint, and final assessments
• • Ability to use Alpha-Stim® daily for an hour each day
• • Although the device is water-resistant, participants must agree to not use the device in the bath or shower
• • Ability to read and write in English
• • Participant has access to a computer with internet access and an email address
• • Ability to attend three (3) virtual 60-minute group life coaching sessions, via Zoom
• • Ability to complete three (3) 10-15-minute pre-recorded video assignments, which will be distributed via email (each assignment will be due by the end of the week that they are distributed)
• • Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects who self-report as pregnant or nursing. Pregnancy be verified with a urine test for all persons of childbearing potential with a uterus
• • Subjects with a self-reported history of the following: Meniere's disease, history of vertigo or prone to dizziness, seizure disorder, pacemaker / implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator \[AICD\]), cochlear implant, or any implanted electrical devices that cannot be shut off
• • Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements