Stress in Medical Staff and Controls

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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It is expected that medical personnel is exposed to more work-related psychic stress compared to controls and that this burden manifests itself by an increased activity level of the resulting in higher cortisol levels and a decreased HRV. In addition, one is interested in the stress-response/coping strategies of the individuals and believe that regular physical activity might buffer the influence of stress on the HPAA-hormones and HRV.

Detailed Description
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Background Medical personnel is increasingly exposed to psychological stress e.g. caused by work intensification combined with time pressure, fear of job loss, lacking appreciation and/or freedom of decision, causing psychopathological or psychosomatic symptoms involving, inter alia, the cardiovascular system. The aims of the present study are the investigation of the current amount of work-related psychological stress, its perception and underlying reasons, as well as applied recovering strategies (e.g. physical activity) in Austrian health care professionals and in controls. Material and methods In total, 140 female and male participants (70 participants belong to medical staff; 70 participants belong to non-medical staff) between the ages of 25-65 years will be recruited. The individual stress perception will be evaluated using questionnaires (e.g. Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, TICS; Brief Symptom Inventory, BSI-18, Short Work Evaluation). 24h salivary cortisol (at 5 time points) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurement will be performed to objectify the influence of stress on the physical body. The physical activity level will be tested by performing a cardiopulmonary exercise test (bicycle spiroergometry). Expected results From the present study the investigators expects insight into: first, the individual perception of work-related psychological stress among health care professionals compared to the controls; second, the association of occupational stress, HRV and laboratory stress parameters and third, the role of a good physical performance on psychological stress perception.

Official Title
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Stress in Medical Staff and Controls

Conditions
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Stress

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Cortisol awakening response


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: female and male participants aged 25-65 years for Group 1: Affiliation to medical staff for Group 2: No Affiliation to medical staff Exclusion Criteria: Age <25 or >65 years Body weight >130 kg Current pregnancy Anamnestic current infectious or oncologic disease Disability to perform a bicycle stress test Atrial fibrillation Pace maker/ICD implantation Current cortison and/or dexamethasone therapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Group 1 - Medical personnell<br>Group 1 consists of 70 participants belonging to medical staff of the Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital of Vienna and is divided into subgroups consisting of medical technical assistants, nurses, assistant physicians and physicians. | Other: Cortisol awakening response<br>* Cortisol awakening response<br>* Other names: Heart rate variability measurement; questionnaires, spiroergometry, laboratory analysis;|
| Group 2 - Control<br>Group 2 consists of 70 participants and is recruited from the General non-medical staff of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports, Austrian Armed Forces. | Other: Cortisol awakening response<br>* Cortisol awakening response<br>* Other names: Heart rate variability measurement; questionnaires, spiroergometry, laboratory analysis;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cortisol 1 | Measurement of salivary cortisol right after awakening | Measurement of salivary cortisol right after awakening within 24 hour testing period | 
| Cortisol 2 | Measurement of salivary cortisol 30 minutes after awakening | Measurement of salivary cortisol 30 minutes after awakening within 24 hour testing period | 
| Cortisol 3 | Measurement of salivary cortisol at 10 am | Measurement of salivary cortisol at 10 am within 24 hour testing period | 
| Cortisol 4 | Measurement of salivary cortisol at 4 pm | Measurement of salivary cortisol at 4 pm within 24 hour testing period | 
| Cortisol 5 | Measurement of salivary cortisol before going to sleep | Measurement of salivary cortisol before going to sleep within 24 hour testing period | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score of the Work ability Index | Comparison of the score of the Work ability Index | once at inclusion |