Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency PhysiciansJOBSTRESSNCT01874704
Comparison of Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency Physicians Working a 24-hour Shift or a 14-hour Night Shift - the JOBSTRESS Randomized Trial
A study testing Comparison of biomarkers of stress in people with Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency Physicians, run by University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
A stressful state can lead to symptoms of mental exhaustion, physical fatigue, medical errors, and also increase coronary heart disease. Emergency physicians subjectively complain of stress related to changes in work shifts. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency Physicians
- What is being tested?
- Comparison of biomarkers of stress
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 19 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- Apr 2010to Sep 2011
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 60 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- emergency physician
Who cannot join
- endocrine disease, pregnancy, recent extraprofessional deleterious life event (such as death of a near relative, divorce), any current illness, drugs used to modulate inflammatory diseases (corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulatory drugs), or any drugs with a chronotropic effect taken over the previous six months (beta blockers, diltiazem, verapamil, anxiolytics or antidepressants).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
A stressful state can lead to symptoms of mental exhaustion, physical fatigue, medical errors, and also increase coronary heart disease. Emergency physicians subjectively complain of stress related to changes in work shifts. Several potential biomarkers of stress have been described, but never investigated in emergency physician, who may represent a good model of stress due to the complex interplay between stress (life-and-death emergencies, which is the defining characteristic of their job), lack of sleep and fatigue due to repeated changes in shifts.The aim of this study was to compare biomarkers in emergency physicians working a 24-hour shift (24hS) or a 14-hour night shift (14hS), and in those working a control day (clerical work on return from leave). We also followed these markers three days following each shift (D3/24hS and D3/14hS).
Read the detailed description
A stressful state can lead to symptoms of mental exhaustion and physical fatigue, detachment from work, and feelings of diminished competence. One of the health consequences of chronic stress at work is an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Emergency physicians subjectively complain of stress related to changes in work shifts. In occupational medicine, no marker of stress or fatigue has achieved consensus. Several potential biomarkers of stress have been described, but never investigated in emergency physician, who may represent a good model of stress due to the complex interplay between stress (life-and-death emergencies, which is the defining characteristic of their job), lack of sleep and fatigue due to repeated changes in shifts.The aim of this study was to compare HRV in emergency physicians working a 24-hour shift (24hS) or a 14-hour night shift (14hS), and in those working a control day (clerical work on return from leave). We will also follow these markers three days following each shift (D3/24hS and D3/14hS).
The psychological consequences of shifts will be assessed in terms of perceived stress and fatigue using visual analog scales. Potential biomarkers will be assessed through urine and saliva collections. Heart rate variability will be measured using 5-lead electrocardiogram. Psychological questionnaires will be completed only once during the control day. The workload during each shift will be estimated by: the total number of entries, the number of admissions, the number of outpatients (collected by computer), and the number of life-and- death emergencies (given by the emergency physician). Sleep duration, including naps, will be assessed by questionnaire (bed time - wake time) on the three-day tracking of each shift and on the control day.
Shift randomization: Latin squares were used to randomize the pattern of shifts and control day (24hS then 14hS then control day or any other combination).
Gaussian distribution of the data wil be tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Data will be presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Comparisons between shifts will be made with ANOVA. Relationships between data will be assessed by Pearson correlation. Significance will be accepted at the p<0.05 level. Statistical procedures will be performed using SPSS Advanced Statistics software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).
- Being tested
- Comparison of biomarkers of stress
- Keywords
- Stress, occupation, biomarkers, emergency, physicians
- Medical subject headings
- Emergencies
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Comparison of biomarkers of stressBehavioural
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| biomarkers of stress | Other | Comparison of biomarkers of stress in emergency physicians working a 24-hour shift or a 14-hour night shift Receives: Behavioral: Comparison of biomarkers of stress |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Putative biomarkers of stress include heart rate variability (urinary and salivary steroids, saliva immunogobulin A, ...)
These biomarkers will be collected in emergency physicians
Measured: at day 1
Secondary outcomes (5)
perceived stress measured using visual analog scale (VAS)
Measured: at day 1
perceived fatigue (VAS)
Measured: at day 1
sleep duration (hours)
Measured: at day 1
sleep quality (VAS)
Measured: at ady 1
workload within the emergency department during the shifts
Measured: at day 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jun 2013 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2010
- Primary completionSep 2010
- Study completionSep 2011
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency PhysiciansStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Hospital, Clermont-FerrandThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Screening
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 19 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Association des Médecins des Urgences de Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Alain CHAMOUX, Principal investigator, University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01874704
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CHU-0154
- Other IDs
- 2009-A01309-48
- Acronym
- JOBSTRESS
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 24 May 2013
- Last updated
- 5 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
Publications
Dutheil F, Marhar F, Boudet G, Perrier C, Naughton G, Chamoux A, Huguet P, Mermillod M, Saadaoui F, Moustafa F, Schmidt J. Maximal tachycardia and high cardiac strain during night shifts of emergency physicians. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017 Aug;90(6):467-480. doi: 10.1007/s00420-017-1211-5. Epub 2017 Mar 7.
PubMed 28271382
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency Physicians Working a 24-hour Shift or a 14-hour Night Shift - the JOBSTRESS Randomized Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01874704
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- JOBSTRESS / CHU-0154
- Keywords
- Stress, occupation, biomarkers, emergency, physicians
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 19 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Clermont-FerrandUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Association des Médecins des Urgences de Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne
- Study start
- Apr 2010
- Primary completion
- Sep 2010 (actual)
- Study completion
- Sep 2011 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Jun 2013 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
A stressful state can lead to symptoms of mental exhaustion, physical fatigue, medical errors, and also increase coronary heart disease. Emergency physicians subjectively complain of stress related to changes in work shifts. Several potential biomarkers of stress have been described, but never investigated in emergency physician, who may represent a good model of stress due to the complex interplay between stress (life-and-death emergencies, which is the defining characteristic of their job), lack of sleep and fatigue due to repeated changes in shifts.The aim of this study was to compare biomarkers in emergency physicians working a 24-hour shift (24hS) or a 14-hour night shift (14hS), and in those working a control day (clerical work on return from leave). We also followed these markers three days following each shift (D3/24hS and D3/14hS).
Detailed description
A stressful state can lead to symptoms of mental exhaustion and physical fatigue, detachment from work, and feelings of diminished competence. One of the health consequences of chronic stress at work is an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Emergency physicians subjectively complain of stress related to changes in work shifts. In occupational medicine, no marker of stress or fatigue has achieved consensus. Several potential biomarkers of stress have been described, but never investigated in emergency physician, who may represent a good model of stress due to the complex interplay between stress (life-and-death emergencies, which is the defining characteristic of their job), lack of sleep and fatigue due to repeated changes in shifts.The aim of this study was to compare HRV in emergency physicians working a 24-hour shift (24hS) or a 14-hour night shift (14hS), and in those working a control day (clerical work on return from leave). We will also follow these markers three days following each shift (D3/24hS and D3/14hS).
The psychological consequences of shifts will be assessed in terms of perceived stress and fatigue using visual analog scales. Potential biomarkers will be assessed through urine and saliva collections. Heart rate variability will be measured using 5-lead electrocardiogram. Psychological questionnaires will be completed only once during the control day. The workload during each shift will be estimated by: the total number of entries, the number of admissions, the number of outpatients (collected by computer), and the number of life-and- death emergencies (given by the emergency physician). Sleep duration, including naps, will be assessed by questionnaire (bed time - wake time) on the three-day tracking of each shift and on the control day.
Shift randomization: Latin squares were used to randomize the pattern of shifts and control day (24hS then 14hS then control day or any other combination).
Gaussian distribution of the data wil be tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Data will be presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Comparisons between shifts will be made with ANOVA. Relationships between data will be assessed by Pearson correlation. Significance will be accepted at the p<0.05 level. Statistical procedures will be performed using SPSS Advanced Statistics software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Screening
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| biomarkers of stress | Other | Behavioral: Comparison of biomarkers of stressComparison of biomarkers of stress in emergency physicians working a 24-hour shift or a 14-hour night shift |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- emergency physician
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- endocrine disease, pregnancy, recent extraprofessional deleterious life event (such as death of a near relative, divorce), any current illness, drugs used to modulate inflammatory diseases (corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulatory drugs), or any drugs with a chronotropic effect taken over the previous six months (beta blockers, diltiazem, verapamil, anxiolytics or antidepressants).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Comparison of biomarkers of stress | Behavioural | biomarkers of stress |
Primary outcome
Putative biomarkers of stress include heart rate variability (urinary and salivary steroids, saliva immunogobulin A, ...)
Time frame: at day 1
These biomarkers will be collected in emergency physicians
5 secondary outcomes
perceived stress measured using visual analog scale (VAS)
Time frame: at day 1
perceived fatigue (VAS)
Time frame: at day 1
sleep duration (hours)
Time frame: at day 1
sleep quality (VAS)
Time frame: at ady 1
workload within the emergency department during the shifts
Time frame: at day 1
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Aug 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 28271382Dutheil F, Marhar F, Boudet G, Perrier C, Naughton G, Chamoux A, Huguet P, Mermillod M, Saadaoui F, Moustafa F, Schmidt J. Maximal tachycardia and high cardiac strain during night shifts of emergency physicians. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017 Aug;90(6):467-480. doi: 10.1007/s00420-017-1211-5. Epub 2017 Mar 7.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Alain CHAMOUX principal investigator
University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Comparison of biomarkers of stress in people with Biomarkers of Stress in Emergency Physicians, run by University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand at 1 site in France.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Putative biomarkers of stress include heart rate variability (urinary and salivary steroids, saliva immunogobulin A, ...) (time frame: at day 1). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01874704, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 5 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.