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

Purpose

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

Condition

  • Occupational Stress

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

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

Phase
Study Type
Observational
Observational Model
Other
Time Perspective
Prospective

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Occupational Stress 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.
  • Behavioral: Occupational Stress in Surgeons and Musicians
    Participants will complete 5 questionnaires about participants demographics, burnout rates, and anxiety levels after participants consent to this study. These questionnaires will be sent to participants via email and should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
Optional Procedure 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.
  • Behavioral: Occupational Stress in Surgeons and Musicians
    Participants will complete 5 questionnaires about participants demographics, burnout rates, and anxiety levels after participants consent to this study. These questionnaires will be sent to participants via email and should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Recruiting Locations

MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas 77030
Contact:
Mei Rui, DMA
713-597-1690
mrui@mdanderson.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Study Contact

Mei Rui, DMA
(713) 597-1690
mrui@mdanderson.org

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.