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

Recruiting

• Conditions: Occupational Stress

• Registration Number: NCT06875882
• Lead Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Brief Summary

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

Detailed 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.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-10
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-13
• Study Start: 2025-03-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-04
• Primary Completion: 2026-03-31
• Study Completion: 2028-03-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Safety and Adverse Events (AEs).	Through study completion; an average of 1 year.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

MD Anderson Cancer Center; 🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, United States