Actively Recruiting
A Pilot RCT Examining the Effectiveness of CMT for Healthcare Staff
Led by Queen's University, Belfast · Updated on 2026-02-13
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
46 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for evidence-based interventions to support the psychological wellbeing of healthcare staff, particularly within Occupational Health settings. Recent research has documented significant mental health challenges among healthcare professionals, including high rates of burnout and stress. Fostering self-compassion has emerged as a key area for intervention. This study aims to pilot and assess the effectiveness of an online compassion-based intervention for healthcare staff, using a randomised Treatment As Usual (TAU) control group. The intervention will be grounded in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). CFT aims to shift focus from self-blame and shame to self-compassion, while CMT involves specific techniques to cultivate compassionate attitudes. The four-week online intervention, led by a CMT expert, will include mindfulness practices such as attention training, imagery, and behaviour-based exercises designed to foster an identity grounded in compassion. The sample will consist of healthcare professionals accessing Occupational Health service in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) for psychological assessment. Participants who meet inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the TAU control group. Questionnaires will be administered online at four time points: pre-intervention,mid intervention, post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up. The measures will assess mental health, burnout, self-compassion, fear of self-compassion and credibility and expectancy of treatment. Participants will be recruited through BHSCT Occupational Health Service and will be screened to meet inclusion criteria by the clinician completing psychological assessment. If the client agrees to be contacted by the researcher their name will be added to a study spreadsheet by their clinician and they will be contacted by the researcher to provide further information and obtain informed consent. Data will be collected electronically using Microsoft Forms and stored securely on an encrypted Trust-based database.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
A Pilot RCT Examining the Effectiveness of CMT for Healthcare Staff
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthcare staff attending the occupational health service for psychological assessment in the BHSCT
- Over the age of 18
- Good level of English to access and complete the intervention and treatment as usual
- Internet access on a suitable device to access the intervention and/or questionnaires
- Individuals who are off on sickness absence are eligible to participate
You will not qualify if you...
- Individuals currently engaged in active psychological intervention
- Individuals identified as being in active addiction or experiencing serious mental illness, or if suspected by the assessing staff member
- A CORE-10 score of 25 or higher indicating severe psychological distress
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Queens University Belfast
Belfast, United Kingdom
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Marylouise Mc Closkey
CONTACT
D
David Curran
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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