CompassionNCT05589116
An Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention for Veterinarian Mental Health
A study testing Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention in people with Compassion and Perfectionism, run by University of Surrey at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
This randomised control trial aims to determine the efficacy of a two-week, online compassionate imagery intervention on improving veterinarian mental wellbeing. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive the intervention immediately or after a 10-week study period. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Compassion, Perfectionism, Rumination
- What is being tested?
- Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 162 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 29 Nov 2022to 14 Jul 2023
- 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Any student, recent graduate or qualified veterinary surgeon will be eligible for participation in the study.
Who cannot join
- Veterinarians who participated in Wakelin et al.'s (2022) feasibility trial.
- Veterinarians who are currently receiving a compassion- or cognitive-based therapy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United Kingdom1 site
University of Surrey
Guildford, Middlesex, GU2 7XH
About this study
Official title: Investigating the Efficacy of a Two-week, Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention for Improving Mental Wellbeing in Veterinarians: A Randomised Controlled Trial
This randomised control trial aims to determine the efficacy of a two-week, online compassionate imagery intervention on improving veterinarian mental wellbeing. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive the intervention immediately or after a 10-week study period. Self-report questionnaires will be used at four time points to measure change on a range of psychological variables.
Read the detailed description
Background: Research suggests that veterinarians are high-achievers with self-critical, perfectionist tendencies (Holden, 2020). Perfectionism in veterinarians has been associated with stress, anxiety, negative affect and low resilience (Crane, Phillips \& Karin, 2015). However, McArthur et al. (2017) found that veterinarians with higher levels of self-compassion reported greater resilience. A feasibility study by Wakelin, Perman and Simonds (2022) found an online two-week compassion-focused imagery intervention to be acceptible and feasible for a veterinarian sample. Wakelin et al. (2022) also reported indications of preliminary effect as veterinarians illustrated a reduction in perfectionism, work-related rumination and self-criticism over the intervention period.
Aim: This study aims to extend Wakelin et al.'s (2022) research, to determine the efficacy of a two-week, online compassionate imagery intervention on improving veterinarian mental wellbeing.
Design: The study will use a mixed-methods, repeated measures, randomised controlled trial design.
The independent variables will be the intervention group (either treatment or wait list control) and the data collection time point. Six questionnaires will be used to collect quantitative data on the following dependent variables: perfectionism, work- related rumination, fear of compassion, resilience, self-compassion, self- criticism and self-reassurance.
Method: Participants will complete questionnaire measures at four time points: prior to randomisation (baseline), two weeks post-randomisation (post-intervention), six-weeks post-randomisation (one-month intervention follow-up) and ten-weeks after randomisation (two-month intervention follow up). Participants in the treatment group will be asked to watch a 10-15 minute compassionate imagery video every day for two weeks (14 in total). Participants in the control group will gain access to intervention materials upon study completion but their engagement in the videos will not be monitored.
- Conditions
- Compassion, Perfectionism, Rumination, Self-Criticism, Resilience
- Being tested
- Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Rumination Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Online Compassionate Imagery InterventionOther
The intervention comprises 14 pre-recorded, 10-15 minute videos. Participants will be asked to watch one video per day over a two-week period. The videos initially focus on providing psychoeducation about what self-compassion is, before delivering a series of guided Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) informed exercises to cultivate self-compassion. The first week of the intervention will teach key compassion skills, with the second week focusing on skill consolidation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention group | Experimental | Participants given immediate access to two-week, online compassionate imagery course. Receives: Other: Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention |
| Wait-list control group | No intervention | Participants will not access intervention during 10-week study period (access will be given to online compassionate imagery course after all outcome measures have been completed). |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in 'Functions of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale' (FSCRS; Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles & Irons, 2004).
This 22-item scale will be used to measure self-criticism and self-reassurance. Participants are required to respond to statements on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 ('not at all like me') - 4 ('extremely like me'). The FSCRS has 3 subscales (Hated Self, Inadequate Self and Reassured Self) which are used to produce an overall self-criticism score (calculated by summing the Hated Self and Inadequate Self items) and a self-reassurance score (calculated by summing the Reassured Self items).
Measured: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (5)
Change in 'Brief Resilience Scale' (BRS; Smith et al., 2008)
This 6-item scale will be used to measure resilience. The scale uses a combination of positively and negatively worded statements, which participants must respond to on a Likert Scale ranging from 1 ('strongly disagree') to 5 ('strongly agree'). The scores are summed to produce a total score, with a higher total score reflecting a higher level of resilience.
Measured: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales' Self-Compassion scale (CEAS; Gilbert et al., 2017)
The 13-item CEAS Self-Compassion scale will be used to measure self-compassion. It uses a series of statements, to which the participant must respond on a Likert Scale with responses ranging from 1 ('never') to 10 ('always'). The scale has two subscales, which are aligned with the two dimensions of Gilbert's (2017) model of compassion: 'Compassionate Engagement' and 'Compassionate Action'. A total score can be produced by summing the subscale scores, with a higher score reflecting a higher level of self-compassion.
Measured: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Work-related Rumination Questionnaire' (WRRQ; Cropley, Michalianou, Pravettoni & Millward, 2012)
This 25-item scale will be used to measure a person's tendency to engage in ruminative thinking about work; participants will be asked to respond in relation to their university, placement, or clinic work. The WRRQ has three subscales (affective rumination, problem-solving pondering, and distraction detachment), and a mean total score is calculated, with higher scores indicating a higher level of rumination.
Measured: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale - 24 Items' (FMPS-24; Khawaja & Armstrong, 2005).
This 24-item scale will be used to measure perfectionism. The scale is scored out of 120, with a higher score indicating stronger perfectionistic tendencies.
Measured: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Fears of Compassion Scale' (FCS; Gilbert, McEwan, Matos & Rivis, 2011).
This 38-item scale will be used to measure Fears of Compassion and it comprises three subscales: Fears of Compassion-Self, Fears of Compassion- For others, and Fears of Compassion- From others.
Measured: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Oct 2022
- Study start29 Nov 2022
- Primary completion14 Jul 2023
- Study completion14 Jul 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CompassionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly allocated to either a treatment or wait-list control group. The study will use a repeated measures, randomised controlled trial design.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 162 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Surrey
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05589116
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FHMS 21022 252 EGA
- Status last verified
- Sep 2023
- First submitted
- 17 Oct 2022
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Wakelin KE, Perman G, Simonds LM. Feasibility and efficacy of an online compassion-focused imagery intervention for veterinarian self-reassurance, self-criticism and perfectionism. Vet Rec. 2023 Jan;192(2):e2177. doi: 10.1002/vetr.2177. Epub 2022 Sep 10.
PubMed 36087064Holden CL. Characteristics of Veterinary Students: Perfectionism, Personality Factors, and Resilience. J Vet Med Educ. 2020 Jul;47(4):488-496. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0918-111r. Epub 2020 May 15.
PubMed 32412364Crane MF, Phillips JK, Karin E. Trait perfectionism strengthens the negative effects of moral stressors occurring in veterinary practice. Aust Vet J. 2015 Oct;93(10):354-60. doi: 10.1111/avj.12366.
PubMed 26412116McArthur M, Mansfield C, Matthew S, Zaki S, Brand C, Andrews J, Hazel S. Resilience in Veterinary Students and the Predictive Role of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion. J Vet Med Educ. 2017 Spring;44(1):106-115. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0116-027R1.
PubMed 28206835
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Sep 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigating the Efficacy of a Two-week, Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention for Improving Mental Wellbeing in Veterinarians: A Randomised Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05589116
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FHMS 21022 252 EGA
- Conditions
- Compassion, Perfectionism, Rumination, Self-Criticism, Resilience
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 162 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of SurreyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 29 Nov 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 14 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 14 Jul 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Oct 2022 (actual)
- 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.
This randomised control trial aims to determine the efficacy of a two-week, online compassionate imagery intervention on improving veterinarian mental wellbeing. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive the intervention immediately or after a 10-week study period. Self-report questionnaires will be used at four time points to measure change on a range of psychological variables.
Detailed description
Background: Research suggests that veterinarians are high-achievers with self-critical, perfectionist tendencies (Holden, 2020). Perfectionism in veterinarians has been associated with stress, anxiety, negative affect and low resilience (Crane, Phillips \& Karin, 2015). However, McArthur et al. (2017) found that veterinarians with higher levels of self-compassion reported greater resilience. A feasibility study by Wakelin, Perman and Simonds (2022) found an online two-week compassion-focused imagery intervention to be acceptible and feasible for a veterinarian sample. Wakelin et al. (2022) also reported indications of preliminary effect as veterinarians illustrated a reduction in perfectionism, work-related rumination and self-criticism over the intervention period.
Aim: This study aims to extend Wakelin et al.'s (2022) research, to determine the efficacy of a two-week, online compassionate imagery intervention on improving veterinarian mental wellbeing.
Design: The study will use a mixed-methods, repeated measures, randomised controlled trial design.
The independent variables will be the intervention group (either treatment or wait list control) and the data collection time point. Six questionnaires will be used to collect quantitative data on the following dependent variables: perfectionism, work- related rumination, fear of compassion, resilience, self-compassion, self- criticism and self-reassurance.
Method: Participants will complete questionnaire measures at four time points: prior to randomisation (baseline), two weeks post-randomisation (post-intervention), six-weeks post-randomisation (one-month intervention follow-up) and ten-weeks after randomisation (two-month intervention follow up). Participants in the treatment group will be asked to watch a 10-15 minute compassionate imagery video every day for two weeks (14 in total). Participants in the control group will gain access to intervention materials upon study completion but their engagement in the videos will not be monitored.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly allocated to either a treatment or wait-list control group. The study will use a repeated measures, randomised controlled trial design.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention group | Experimental | Other: Online Compassionate Imagery InterventionParticipants given immediate access to two-week, online compassionate imagery course. |
| Wait-list control group | No intervention | –Participants will not access intervention during 10-week study period (access will be given to online compassionate imagery course after all outcome measures have been completed). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Any student, recent graduate or qualified veterinary surgeon will be eligible for participation in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Veterinarians who participated in Wakelin et al.'s (2022) feasibility trial.
- Veterinarians who are currently receiving a compassion- or cognitive-based therapy.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Online Compassionate Imagery InterventionThe intervention comprises 14 pre-recorded, 10-15 minute videos. Participants will be asked to watch one video per day over a two-week period. The videos initially focus on providing psychoeducation about what self-compassion is, before delivering a series of guided Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) informed exercises to cultivate self-compassion. The first week of the intervention will teach key compassion skills, with the second week focusing on skill consolidation. | Other | Intervention group |
Primary outcome
Change in 'Functions of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale' (FSCRS; Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles & Irons, 2004).
Time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
This 22-item scale will be used to measure self-criticism and self-reassurance. Participants are required to respond to statements on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 ('not at all like me') - 4 ('extremely like me'). The FSCRS has 3 subscales (Hated Self, Inadequate Self and Reassured Self) which are used to produce an overall self-criticism score (calculated by summing the Hated Self and Inadequate Self items) and a self-reassurance score (calculated by summing the Reassured Self items).
5 secondary outcomes
Change in 'Brief Resilience Scale' (BRS; Smith et al., 2008)
Time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales' Self-Compassion scale (CEAS; Gilbert et al., 2017)
Time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Work-related Rumination Questionnaire' (WRRQ; Cropley, Michalianou, Pravettoni & Millward, 2012)
Time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale - 24 Items' (FMPS-24; Khawaja & Armstrong, 2005).
Time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
Change in 'Fears of Compassion Scale' (FCS; Gilbert, McEwan, Matos & Rivis, 2011).
Time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention
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 22 Sep 2023.
- Background: PubMed 36087064Wakelin KE, Perman G, Simonds LM. Feasibility and efficacy of an online compassion-focused imagery intervention for veterinarian self-reassurance, self-criticism and perfectionism. Vet Rec. 2023 Jan;192(2):e2177. doi: 10.1002/vetr.2177. Epub 2022 Sep 10.
- Background: PubMed 32412364Holden CL. Characteristics of Veterinary Students: Perfectionism, Personality Factors, and Resilience. J Vet Med Educ. 2020 Jul;47(4):488-496. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0918-111r. Epub 2020 May 15.
- Background: PubMed 26412116Crane MF, Phillips JK, Karin E. Trait perfectionism strengthens the negative effects of moral stressors occurring in veterinary practice. Aust Vet J. 2015 Oct;93(10):354-60. doi: 10.1111/avj.12366.
- Background: PubMed 28206835McArthur M, Mansfield C, Matthew S, Zaki S, Brand C, Andrews J, Hazel S. Resilience in Veterinary Students and the Predictive Role of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion. J Vet Med Educ. 2017 Spring;44(1):106-115. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0116-027R1.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Online Compassionate Imagery Intervention in people with Compassion and Perfectionism, run by University of Surrey at 1 site in United Kingdom.
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 2 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 22 Sep 2023. 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 United Kingdom. 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?
Change in 'Functions of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale' (FSCRS; Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles & Irons, 2004). (time frame: 4 time points: baseline, immediate post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention). 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 NCT05589116, which also lists 4 linked publications.
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 22 Sep 2023.