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Alarm Fatigue in Intensive Care Unit NursesNCT07124364

Effects of Relaxation, Mindfulness, and Breathing Therapy on Alarm Fatigue and Psychological Well-being in Intensive Care Nurses

A study testing Benson Relaxation Technique, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation and Breathing Therapy in people with Alarm Fatigue in Intensive Care Unit Nurses and Psychological Well-Being in Intensive Care Unit Nurses, run by Hacer Eroglu at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of the Benson Relaxation Technique, mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation, and breathing therapy on reducing alarm fatigue and improving psychological well-being in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Benson Relaxation Technique, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation and Breathing Therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
168 participants
Where
2 sitesTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
28 Jul 2025to 30 Jan 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in nursing
  • At least 6 months' experience in a tertiary intensive care unit
  • Cognitive and physical ability to complete study forms and perform the assigned exercise with the researcher
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Diagnosed psychological disorders requiring treatment (e.g., anxiety, panic disorder, depression)
  • Not actively working during the study period due to leave (e.g., maternity leave, annual leave)
  • Concurrent participation in another relaxation exercise program (e.g., yoga, visualization)
  • Withdrawal request during the intervention period
  • Missing two consecutive weekly group sessions

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)2 sites
  • Ankara Bilkent City Hospital - General Hospital Tower, Internal Medicine and General Intensive Care Units

    Ankara, Ankara, 06080

  • Hacettepe University Hospital

    Ankara, Ankara, 06100

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Benson Relaxation Technique, Mindfulness-Based Meditation, and Breathing Therapy on Alarm Fatigue and Psychological Well-Being in Intensive Care Nurses: A Four-Arm, Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of the Benson Relaxation Technique, mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation, and breathing therapy on reducing alarm fatigue and improving psychological well-being in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Read more

Do the Benson Relaxation Technique, mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation, and breathing therapy significantly reduce alarm fatigue in ICU nurses?

Do these interventions significantly improve psychological well-being in ICU nurses?

Researchers will compare three intervention groups (Benson Relaxation Technique, mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation, breathing therapy) with a control group receiving no intervention to determine which approach produces the greatest improvement in alarm fatigue and psychological well-being.

Participants will:

Attend weekly group sessions for their assigned intervention over the course of [8 weeks].

Practice the assigned technique regularly between sessions as instructed.

Complete questionnaires assessing alarm fatigue and psychological well-being before and after the intervention.

Read the detailed description

This clinical trial was designed to address a gap in the literature regarding effective mind-body approaches for reducing alarm fatigue and supporting psychological well-being among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Alarm fatigue is a common and serious concern in ICUs, and interventions that improve nurses' mental health may also enhance patient safety. In this study, three mind-body-based interventions-Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT), mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation (MBSR), and breathing therapy-will be compared in terms of their effects on alarm fatigue and psychological well-being. The comparative findings from this trial are expected to help identify the most effective mind-body-based approach for ICU nurses and support its wider implementation in clinical practice.

Hypotheses

H₀: BRT, MBSR, and breathing therapy have no significant effect on alarm fatigue and psychological well-being in ICU nurses.

H₁: BRT, MBSR, and breathing therapy have a significant effect on alarm fatigue and psychological well-being in ICU nurses.

Study Design This study will employ a four-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial design.

Study Setting and Duration The trial will be conducted at three ICU centers: the Internal Medicine and General Intensive Care Units of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital - General Hospital Tower, and the Internal Medicine ICUs of Hacettepe University Adult and Oncology Hospitals. Data collection will take place between June 2025 and June 2026.

Institutional Characteristics The Internal Medicine and General ICUs of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital - General Hospital Tower are tertiary-level units serving approximately 140-150 patients daily, with a total of 70 ICU nurses. The Internal Medicine ICUs of Hacettepe University Adult and Oncology Hospitals serve approximately 200 patients daily across four units, staffed by a total of 100 ICU nurses.

Population and Sample The study population will consist of nurses working in the above-mentioned tertiary ICUs. The sample will include nurses who meet the inclusion criteria, volunteer to participate, and provide written and verbal informed consent. Sample size was calculated based on a previous randomized controlled trial by Askar et al. (2024) examining the effects of progressive muscle relaxation on fatigue in ICU nurses. In that study, mean fatigue scores at week 4 were 3.13±1.58 for the intervention group and 4.12±1.70 for the control group, with a statistically significant difference between groups. Using these findings, an effect size of 0.62, a 95% confidence level, 88% power, and α = 0.05, the minimum required sample size was determined as 42 nurses per group, totaling 168 participants.

Inclusion Criteria

Age ≥ 18 years

Bachelor's degree or higher in nursing

At least 6 months' experience in a tertiary ICU

Cognitive and physical ability to complete study forms and perform the assigned exercise with the researcher

Voluntary participation with signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Diagnosed psychological disorders requiring treatment (e.g., anxiety, panic disorder, depression)

Not actively working during the study period due to leave (e.g., maternity, annual leave)

Concurrent participation in another relaxation exercise program (e.g., yoga, visualization)

Participants will also be withdrawn if they:

Request to leave the study during the intervention period

Miss two consecutive weekly group sessions

Randomization and Blinding Eligible nurses will be randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to one of the four study arms using www.randomizer.org by the lead researcher. Allocation results will be shared with the second researcher. Interventions will be delivered by a third researcher, while data collection will be performed by a fourth researcher blinded to group allocation. Data analysis will be conducted by a statistician who is also blinded to allocation. Due to the nature of mind-body interventions, participants and the researcher delivering the interventions cannot be blinded; however, the study will maintain assessor blinding.

Being tested
Benson Relaxation Technique, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation, Breathing Therapy
Keywords
Alarm fatigue, Psychological well-being, Intensive care nurses, Benson Relaxation Technique, Breathing therapy, Randomized controlled trial, ICU, Nursing intervention
Medical subject headings
Alert Fatigue, Health Personnel, Psychological Well-Being

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Benson Relaxation TechniqueBehavioural

    The Benson Relaxation Technique is a structured relaxation method involving the repetition of a word, sound, or phrase while sitting quietly in a comfortable position with eyes closed, combined with passive muscle relaxation. In this study, it will be delivered in weekly 30-minute group sessions for 8 weeks by a trained instructor. Participants will be instructed to practice the technique daily at home for 10-15 minutes.

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction MeditationBehavioural

    Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction meditation is a practice focusing on cultivating awareness of the present moment through seated meditation and mindful breathing. In this study, participants will attend weekly 30-minute group sessions for 8 weeks, guided by an experienced instructor. They will also be encouraged to perform daily mindfulness meditation at home for 10-15 minutes.

  • Breathing TherapyBehavioural

    Breathing therapy consists of guided breathing exercises designed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve psychological well-being by regulating breathing patterns. In this study, participants will attend weekly 30-minute group sessions for 8 weeks, led by a trained facilitator. Daily home practice of slow deep breathing techniques for 10-15 minutes will be encouraged.

Study groups in NCT07124364
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Benson Relaxation Technique GroupExperimentalParticipants will receive weekly 30-minute group sessions for 8 weeks to practice the Benson Relaxation Technique under the guidance of a trained instructor. They will also be instructed to perform daily home practice.
Receives: Behavioral: Benson Relaxation Technique
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation GroupExperimentalParticipants will attend weekly 30-minute group sessions for 8 weeks, focusing on seated mindfulness meditation and mindful breathing exercises. They will also be encouraged to practice daily at home.
Receives: Behavioral: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation
Breathing Therapy GroupExperimentalParticipants will attend weekly 30-minute group sessions for 8 weeks, performing guided breathing exercises designed to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Daily home practice will be encouraged.
Receives: Behavioral: Breathing Therapy
Control GroupNo interventionParticipants will not receive any intervention during the study period and will continue their usual routine. After the study ends, they will be offered the opportunity to participate in one of the intervention programs.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Alarm Fatigue

    Alarm fatigue will be measured using the Turkish version of the Healthcare Technology Foundation's Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire, which assesses frequency and perception of alarm-related fatigue among ICU nurses. Higher scores indicate greater fatigue.

    Measured: Baseline, at the end of week 4, at the end of week 8, and at the end of week 10

  2. Psychological Well-Being

    Psychological well-being will be assessed using the Turkish version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Higher scores indicate better well-being.

    Measured: Baseline, at the end of week 4, at the end of week 8, and at the end of week 10

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Aug 2025
  2. Study start28 Jul 2025
  3. Primary completion15 Sep 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jan 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Four-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with parallel group assignment.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
168 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07124364
Sponsor's protocol ID
Record 5
Status last verified
Jul 2025
First submitted
9 Aug 2025
Last updated
15 Aug 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: De-identified individual participant data (including demographic information, baseline and post-intervention outcome measures) will be shared upon reasonable request to the principal investigator, following publication of the study results. Data will be available for 3 years after publication.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Benson Relaxation Technique, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation and Breathing Therapy in people with Alarm Fatigue in Intensive Care Unit Nurses and Psychological Well-Being in Intensive Care Unit Nurses, run by Hacer Eroglu at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Alarm Fatigue (time frame: Baseline, at the end of week 4, at the end of week 8, and at the end of week 10). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Aug 2025.

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