Managing Minds at Work: Protocol for A Feasibility Pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial for a Digital Training Program for Line Managers to Promote Mental Health at Work

Background:

Mental health problems affect one in six workers annually and is one of the leading causes of sickness absence; with stress, anxiety, and depression being responsible for half of all working days lost in the UK. Line managers hold a primary role in preventing poor mental health within the workplace and, therefore, need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively carry out this role. Most previous studies have directly focussed on increasing line managers awareness of mental health, rather than taking a proactive preventative approach. The Managing Minds at Work (MMW) digital training intervention was collaboratively designed to address this gap.

Objective:

The primary aim of this study is to pilot and feasibility test a digital training intervention for line managers to increase their knowledge and confidence in preventing work-related stress and promoting mental health at work.

Methods:

This study is a multi-centre feasibility pilot using a clustered randomised control trial, consisting of two arms: the intervention arm and a 3-month wait list control. Participants in the intervention arm will complete a baseline questionnaire at screening, immediately post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks), and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Those in the control arm will complete an initial baseline questionnaire, repeated after 3 months on the waitlist. They will then be granted access to the MMW intervention, following which they will complete the questionnaire immediately post-intervention. As a feasibility pilot study, a formal sample size is not required. A minimum of 8 clusters (randomised into two groups of four) will be sought to inform a future trial from work organisations of different types and sectors.

Results:

Recruitment to the study closed in January 2022. Twenty-four organisations and 224 line managers have been recruited. Data analysis is expected to finish in May 2023.

Conclusions:

The results from this feasibility study will be a significant step towards developing a definitive trial and will provide insight into the usability and acceptability of the MMW digital line manager training intervention. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05154019 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05154019