A Wearable-Based Program to Optimise Stress Regulation, Resilience, and Wellbeing in Emergency Care Settings: A...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare innovation
• Digital health
• Stress management

Background:

• Emergency Departments (EDs) induce significant stress for patients and staff.
• Proactive stress management interventions are underutilized in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, usability, clinical effectiveness, and economic impact of the WeCare program.
• To support stress regulation, resilience, and wellbeing in high-stress healthcare environments using a wearable-integrated approach.

Main Methods:

• A 6-week, self-guided, wearable-integrated program (WeCare) using a "Learn-Track-Act" framework.
• Mixed-methods, multiple-baseline N-of-1 design with up to 32 participants across patient and staff groups.
• Digital psychoeducation, continuous biofeedback (smart ring), personalized guidance, and self-regulation strategies, with smartwatch monitoring and interviews.

Main Results:

• Preliminary data on feasibility, acceptability, and usability of the WeCare program.
• Initial assessment of clinical effectiveness, including physiological outcomes (heart rate variability, sleep) and self-reported stress and wellbeing.
• Exploration of preliminary economic impacts and user experiences through quantitative and qualitative data.

Conclusions:

• The WeCare program demonstrates potential as a low-cost, wearable-enabled intervention for proactive mental healthcare in demanding healthcare settings.
• Findings will guide refinement of the intervention and inform the design of larger-scale trials for stress management in EDs.