Choice and Autonomy in Learning Mindfulness for Pediatric Residents

Part of paid clinical trials in Chicago, Illinois.

Sponsor
Northwestern University
Study ID
NCT07542769
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Meditation
  • Meditation Training
  • Mindfulness
  • Physician Burnout
  • Program Engagement
  • Psychological Well-Being
  • Self-Compassion
  • Treatment Adherence and Compliance

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
N/A - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Wakeful Digital Mindfulness Program — BEHAVIORAL
    Wakeful digital mindfulness program: an asynchronous, web-based course with guided meditations, didactic content, and optional reflective exercises.

Study Details

This study is a pilot clinical trial designed to evaluate a flexible, online mindfulness program for pediatric residents. Medical training can be stressful, and although mindfulness programs are often offered to support well-being, many are either in-person or follow a fixed format that may not fit individual schedules or preferences. This study will test a digital mindfulness program called Wakeful, which allows participants to complete the course at their own pace. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will be able to choose the length of their mindfulness program (3, 5, or 7 weeks), while the other group will be assigned a program length without a choice. The goal is to understand whether giving participants a choice improves how often they use the program, how satisfied they are with it, and whether they complete it. The main outcomes of this study focus on how participants interact with the program, including how many sessions they complete, how often they practice mindfulness on their own, and how useful and relevant they find the program. The study will also look at overall satisfaction and how many participants drop out before finishing. In addition, the study will explore whether participants report changes in mindfulness and compassion for others, although it is not designed to determine clinical improvements in mental health. By understanding how pediatric residents engage with different program formats, this study aims to inform the design of more flexible and user-centered digital wellness programs that better fit into demanding medical training environments.

Key Dates

Start date
Apr 13, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2026
Completion
May 1, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
42 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • Experimental: Choice
    Participants randomized to the Choice arm will select their preferred duration of the Wakeful digital mindfulness program (3, 5, or 7 weeks) prior to beginning the intervention. After making their selection, participants will complete one module per week in sequential order based on their chosen program length. Each module includes didactic content, guided mindfulness practices, and optional reflection activities. Participants may also engage in optional independent meditation practices throughout the study period. This arm is designed to evaluate whether allowing participants to choose their intervention duration influences engagement, adherence, and acceptability of the program.
  • Experimental: No Choice
    Participants randomized to the No-Choice arm are assigned a Wakeful digital mindfulness program duration (3, 5, or 7 weeks) without input. Assignment is matched to participants in the Choice arm to balance program lengths across groups. Participants complete one module per week in sequential order according to their assigned program length. Each module includes didactic content, guided mindfulness practices, and optional reflection activities. Optional independent meditation practice is also available. This arm is designed to assess engagement, adherence, and acceptability under a structured format without participant-selected program duration.

Primary Outcome Measure

Engagement and completion of Wakeful program modules [ Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (3, 5, or 7 weeks depending on program length) ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
McGaw Medical CenterChicagoIllinois60622
Jason Tsichlis, MD, MS
[email protected]
3122274000
Jason Tsichlis, MD, MS (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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By research site
McGaw Medical Center· Chicago, IL

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