Evaluating Occupational Stress in Surgeons and Musicians: A Multi-modal Pilot Study Using Wearable EEG, Biomarker Analysis and Validated Questionnaires

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Occupational Stress

Treatments: Behavioral: Occupational Stress in Surgeons and Musicians

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06875882

2024-1393

NCI-2025-01927 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

To learn about occupational stress among surgeons and musicians by integrating psychological assessments, neurophysiological measures, and biomarkers.

Full description

Primary Objectives • To assess the change in occupational stress among surgeons and musicians by measuring physiological and psychological stress markers.

Endpoints:

• Changes in salivary cortisol levels (before and after surgeries for surgeons and live public performances for musicians).
• Changes in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Short (STAI-S) scores (administered pre- and post-surgery/performance).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES AND ENDPOINTS

• Assessing and comparing anxiety and burnout, based on the MBI, STAI-T, M-PAS, and SCAT, in surgeons and musicians

Endpoints:

• Baseline levels of anxiety and burnout measured using the MBI, M-PAS, STAI-T, and SCAT.
• Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment from the MBI in both groups.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Professional musicians (i.e., those with academic or orchestral appointments) or MD Anderson Neurosurgeons
• For Musicians only: You will have a musical performance within three months of study enrollment.

For Neurosurgeons only: You will perform a surgical procedure within three months of study enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who are unable to provide informed consent
• Individuals diagnosed with severe cognitive impairments, severe psychiatric disorders, or hearing or visual impairments that could affect participation
• Individuals previously enrolled in the study
• Non-English-speaking musicians and/or surgeons

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Occupational Stress

Description:

This research study is to learn about occupational stress among surgeons and musicians by integrating psychological assessments, neurophysiological measures, and biomarkers. Researchers want to assess and compare factors associated with occupational stress, among surgeons and musicians, such as changes in stress biomarkers before and after surgery or music performance, anxiety, burnout, demographic factors, and brainwave activity linked to stress. It is hoped the information learned in this study can be used to help promote better health outcomes and enhance the well-being of these workforce members. Participants will undergo saliva sample collections and complete questionnaires before and after the performance or surgery.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Occupational Stress in Surgeons and Musicians

Optional Procedure

Description:

Participants may optionally have a surgery or performance recorded and undergo an EEG while watching the recording. These participants will undergo saliva sample collections and complete questionnaires before and after the EEG recording session.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Occupational Stress in Surgeons and Musicians