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Nurse Suicide: Physiologic Sleep Health Promotion Trial

The Use of Physiologic Measures and Sleep Health Promotion to Identify and Mitigate Predisposing Factors of Suicidal Ideation in Nurses

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06079853
Enrollment
25
Registered
2023-10-12
Start date
2023-09-08
Completion date
2024-09-01
Last updated
2024-11-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Mental Health Wellness 1, Nurse's Role, Sleep, Stress, Suicide, Work Environment Adverse Effects

Keywords

Suicide, Nurse, Sleep, Mental Health, Work Environment, Stress, Depression, Anxiety

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to identify factors (sleep, psychiatric characteristics, stressful life events, and work environment characteristics) that potentiate or mitigate adverse effects of real-world stressors that predispose nurses to suicidal risk. The specific aims are: Aim 1. To investigate associations between sleep, stressful life events (life stressors, discrimination, lateral violence), psychiatric characteristics (psychiatric diagnosis, subjective mood), work environment characteristics (workload, shift type and duration, overtime, nurse work environment, and team relations) and stress (self-report and heart rate variability) in working nursing professionals while controlling for standard covariates known to influence stress. Aim 2. To determine if stress exposure (self-report and HRV) is associated with predisposing factors (sleep, stressful life events, additional psychiatric characteristics, and work environment characteristics), and to explore whether stress mediates the effect of predisposing factors on suicidal ideation in working nursing professionals. Exploratory Aim. To explore the preliminary impact of an existing sleep intervention (sleep health promotion kit) on self-reported stress, HRV, sleep, and psychiatric health outcomes including depression, burnout, and suicidal ideation. This record will focus on the Exploratory Aim.

Detailed description

Despite being the largest healthcare workforce in the United States (US) (\ 5 million nurses), evidence about suicidal ideation and predisposing factors that contribute to suicide in nurses is limited. Outside of nursing, there is substantial evidence that an individual's psychiatric characteristics (psychiatric diagnosis; decision-making; social cognition; mood) and/or life stressors (e.g., death of a loved one, divorce, discrimination, or lateral violence) are significantly associated to suicidal ideation. Yet, it is unclear why nurses have higher rates of suicide compared to other populations and which factors predispose nurses to higher risk for suicidal behavior. It has become critical to test new approaches to reduce stress in nurses and subsequently mitigate suicide ideation. There is early evidence that sleep disturbances may induce increased stress and subsequently higher psychological risk, including depression, a known predisposing risk factor for suicidal risk. Evidence about the associations between sleep and suicidal ideation is limited but early studies show promise that interventions promoting sleep health may help mitigate suicidal risk. The isolation of predisposing factors for stress in nurses and investigation of potential interventions to counteract such stress may help to identify and mitigate suicide risk in nurses. Past evidence about suicide has been limited to post-mortem data inhibiting an understanding of which personal, psychosocial, and work environment factors predispose a nurse to suicidal behaviors. The combined study of self-report and physiologic data may help us better understand sources of stress adaptation in the search for underlying biological mechanisms associated with suicide and other suboptimal psychologic health outcomes.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALPureSomni Sleep Health Product Kit

PureSomni sleep health products offered: blue light blocking glasses, eye mask, nasal strips, white noise machine, lavender spray, herbal tea, ear plugs

Sponsors

Columbia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* currently practicing as a registered nurse in the clinical setting * have worked continuously in the same position for at least 1 year * read, speak, and understand English language

Exclusion criteria

* \>1-month sick leave in the past 3 months * pregnancy (known physiologic stress confounder) * other healthcare workers (e.g., physicians).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With at Least 1 Suicidal Behavior (Frequency)8 WeeksTotal number of participants with at least 1 suicidal behavior that occurred during the given time period of 8 weeks.
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS IdeationBaseline: Week 1This outcome measures the number of participants who had a score greater than 0 on the CSSRS at Baseline (Week 1). CSSRS total score range is from 0-6, with the higher number indicating more intense ideation. Any score above 0 indicates a positive ideation in the past month.
Physiologic Stress Response- Heart Rate Variability [Group Mean Difference Between Week 1-4(Control) and Week 5-8(Intervention)]8 weeksParticipants will wear the OuraRing to capture physiologic continuous heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is the variance in time between heart beats (RR intervals on an EKG) and is calculated using root mean square of successive differences between heartbeats. The middle 50% of 20-25 year olds usually have an average HRV in the 55-105 range, while 60-65 year olds tend to be between 25-45. In general, a higher heart rate variability is considered better as it indicates a more adaptable and resilient autonomic nervous system, which can respond effectively to different stressors. We calculated the mean difference between the control time period (Week1-4) and the intervention time period (Week 5-8).
Perceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)baseline-Week 1Scaling: Self reported Survey Instrument Range: 0 to 21 Interpretation: A global sleep score over 5 indicates poor sleep quality.
Physiologic Sleep Data - Sleep Duration (Mean Daily Hours)8 weeksThis is to measure the average amount of daily sleep (hours) over an 8 week period. The physiologic data is collected via a wearable device (OuraRing). We calculated the mean difference in sleep duration (hours) between Week 1-4 (Control time period) and Week 5-8(Intervention time period).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 2: Depersonalization) - Mean Composite ScoreBaseline- Week 1Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 2-Depersonalization) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-42 Interpretation: 5 or less - Low level of burnout 6-11 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 12 - High level of burnout
Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 3: Personal Accomplishment) - Mean Composite ScoreBaseline- Week 1Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 3-Personal Achievement) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-48 Interpretation: 33 or less - Low level of burnout 34-39 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 40 - High level of burnout
Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 3: Personal Achievement) - Mean Composite ScoreWeek 8Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 3-Personal Achievement) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-48 Interpretation: 33 or less - Low level of burnout 34-39 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 40 - High level of burnout
Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 1: Emotional Exhaustion) - Mean Composite ScoreBaseline- Week 1Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 1-emotional exhaustion) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-42 Interpretation: 17 or less - Low level of burnout 18-29 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 30 - High level of burnout

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Experimental
Single arm pilot sample will receive intervention PureSomni Sleep Health Product Kit: PureSomni sleep health products offered: blue light blocking glasses, eye mask, nasal strips, white noise machine, lavender spray, herbal tea, ear plugs
25
Total25

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicExperimental
Age, Continuous45.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6
Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale: Depersonalization) Baseline10.84 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.17
Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale: Emotional Exhaustion) Baseline31.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.72
Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale: Personal Accomplishment) Baseline44.92 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.49
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
16 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
25 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
21 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 25
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 25
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 25

Outcome results

Primary

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS Ideation

This outcome measures the number of participants who had a score greater than 0 on the CSSRS at Baseline (Week 1). CSSRS total score range is from 0-6, with the higher number indicating more intense ideation. Any score above 0 indicates a positive ideation in the past month.

Time frame: Baseline: Week 1

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ExperimentalColumbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS Ideation2 Participants
Primary

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS Ideation

This outcome measures the number of participants who had a score greater than 0 on the CSSRS at Follow-up (Week 4). CSSRS total score range is from 0-6, with the higher number indicating more intense ideation. Any score above 0 indicates a positive ideation in the past month.

Time frame: Follow-up: Week 4

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ExperimentalColumbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS Ideation0 Participants
Primary

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS Ideation

This outcome measures the number of participants who had a score greater than 0 on the CSSRS at Follow-up (Week 8). CSSRS total score range is from 0-6, with the higher number indicating more intense ideation. Any score above 0 indicates a positive ideation in the past month.

Time frame: Follow-up: Week 8

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ExperimentalColumbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Intensity of Ideation) - Number of Participants With a Positive CSSRS Ideation0 Participants
Primary

Number of Participants With at Least 1 Suicidal Behavior (Frequency)

Total number of participants with at least 1 suicidal behavior that occurred during the given time period of 8 weeks.

Time frame: 8 Weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalNumber of Participants With at Least 1 Suicidal Behavior (Frequency)0 participants
Primary

Perceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)

Scaling: Self reported Survey Instrument Range: 0 to 21 Interpretation: A global sleep score over 5 indicates poor sleep quality.

Time frame: baseline-Week 1

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalPerceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)8.30 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.91
Primary

Perceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)

Scaling: Self reported Survey Instrument Range: 0 to 21 Interpretation: A global sleep score over 5 indicates poor sleep quality.

Time frame: Follow up- Week 4

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalPerceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)6.79 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.37
Primary

Perceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)

Scaling: Self reported Survey Instrument Range: 0 to 21 Interpretation: A global sleep score over 5 indicates poor sleep quality.

Time frame: Follow up- Week 8

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalPerceived Sleep Quality Via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleep Score (Group Mean)5.85 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.03
Primary

Physiologic Sleep Data - Sleep Duration (Mean Daily Hours)

This is to measure the average amount of daily sleep (hours) over an 8 week period. The physiologic data is collected via a wearable device (OuraRing). We calculated the mean difference in sleep duration (hours) between Week 1-4 (Control time period) and Week 5-8(Intervention time period).

Time frame: 8 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalPhysiologic Sleep Data - Sleep Duration (Mean Daily Hours)6.81 HoursStandard Deviation 0.831
Primary

Physiologic Stress Response- Heart Rate Variability [Group Mean Difference Between Week 1-4(Control) and Week 5-8(Intervention)]

Participants will wear the OuraRing to capture physiologic continuous heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is the variance in time between heart beats (RR intervals on an EKG) and is calculated using root mean square of successive differences between heartbeats. The middle 50% of 20-25 year olds usually have an average HRV in the 55-105 range, while 60-65 year olds tend to be between 25-45. In general, a higher heart rate variability is considered better as it indicates a more adaptable and resilient autonomic nervous system, which can respond effectively to different stressors. We calculated the mean difference between the control time period (Week1-4) and the intervention time period (Week 5-8).

Time frame: 8 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalPhysiologic Stress Response- Heart Rate Variability [Group Mean Difference Between Week 1-4(Control) and Week 5-8(Intervention)]0.846 millisecondsStandard Deviation 5.424
Secondary

Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 1: Emotional Exhaustion) - Mean Composite Score

Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 1-emotional exhaustion) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-42 Interpretation: 17 or less - Low level of burnout 18-29 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 30 - High level of burnout

Time frame: Baseline- Week 1

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalBurnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 1: Emotional Exhaustion) - Mean Composite Score31.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.72
Secondary

Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 1: Emotional Exhaustion) - Mean Composite Score

Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 1-emotional exhaustion) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-42 Interpretation: 17 or less - Low level of burnout 18-29 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 30 - High level of burnout

Time frame: Week 8

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalBurnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 1: Emotional Exhaustion) - Mean Composite Score29 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.4
Secondary

Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 2: Depersonalization) - Mean Composite Score

Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 2-Depersonalization) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-42 Interpretation: 5 or less - Low level of burnout 6-11 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 12 - High level of burnout

Time frame: Week 8

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalBurnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 2: Depersonalization) - Mean Composite Score10.88 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.69
Secondary

Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 2: Depersonalization) - Mean Composite Score

Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 2-Depersonalization) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-42 Interpretation: 5 or less - Low level of burnout 6-11 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 12 - High level of burnout

Time frame: Baseline- Week 1

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalBurnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 2: Depersonalization) - Mean Composite Score10.84 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.17
Secondary

Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 3: Personal Accomplishment) - Mean Composite Score

Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 3-Personal Achievement) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-48 Interpretation: 33 or less - Low level of burnout 34-39 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 40 - High level of burnout

Time frame: Baseline- Week 1

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalBurnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 3: Personal Accomplishment) - Mean Composite Score44.92 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.49
Secondary

Burnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 3: Personal Achievement) - Mean Composite Score

Scaling - Self report survey (subscale 3-Personal Achievement) 7 point Likert Scale; Score Range 0-48 Interpretation: 33 or less - Low level of burnout 34-39 - Moderate level of burnout Greater than 40 - High level of burnout

Time frame: Week 8

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ExperimentalBurnout Screening Via Maslach Burnout Inventory (Subscale 3: Personal Achievement) - Mean Composite Score44.29 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.5

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026