Feasibility of Stress Management Education Delivered Via Virtual Classroom in Nursing Homes: a Pilot Study of a RCT

Feasibility and Relevance of Stress Management Education Delivered Via Virtual Classroom for Carers Working in Specialised Care Units in Nursing Homes: a Pilot Study of a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this cluster-randomised pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a remote stress management programme to reduce occupational stress in healthcare workers in specialised care units of nursing homes. Secondary aims are to assess the effectiveness of the programme in reducing stress in care workers and reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in residents.

Participants randomised to the experimental cluster will follow the stress management programme delivered in a virtual classroom. Participants randomised to the control cluster will be placed on a waiting list.

The primary outcome measure will be the participation rate in the study. Other secondary outcomes will include measures of heart rate variability (as a marker of physiological stress) and scores on specific questionnaires for stress, anxiety and risk of burnout in nursing staff in the specialised care units, and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and quality of life in residents in the specialised care units.

Both clusters will complete the same assessments. Participants in the experimental cluster will follow a three-course programme with a psychologist via videoconferencing over a period of 2 months. After the study's final evaluation visit, which will take place one month after the programme, participants in the control cluster will be offered the opportunity to follow the same programme.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a caring relationship with residents (e.g. nurses, nursing assistants)
• Working in the specialised care unit of the nursing home
• Working in the nursing home for at least 3 months on the date of inclusion and whose employment contract does not end within 3 months of the date of inclusion.
• Obtaining express written informed consent, after a period of reflection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Person in a period of relative exclusion in relation to another protocol
• Person who is not affiliated to or does not benefit from a social security scheme.
• Pregnant or lactating woman
• Participant unable to give consent
• Person deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision
• Person unable to understand, speak, read and write French