Web-based Single-session Growth Mindset Intervention for Allied Health Practicum Trainees to Reduce Anxiety

NCT07085897 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HSEARS20250608002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Practicum is a critical component of professional training, offering essential experiential learning opportunities that support the development of future practitioners. However, existing research indicates that practicum can be particularly challenging for allied health students, who must navigate both academic learning adjustments and complex healthcare environments. Emerging evidence also highlights the potential value of low-intensity, self-guided interventions in enhancing practicum trainees' psychological preparedness. Based on the findings, this present project adapts an integrated intervention-the Web-based Single-Session Intervention on Mindset regarding Intelligence, Failure, and Emotion (We-SMILE)-specifically for practicum students in allied health professions and examines its efficacy to adjust their mindsets and manage practicum-related challenges more effectively. Using a two-arm randomised controlled trial, the proposed study will examine the efficacy of We-SMILE for allied health practicum trainees in reducing anxiety, as well as improving perceived stress, performance anxiety, practicum-related concerns, psychological status, learning orientation, confidence, resilient coping, and time management. Students commencing their practicums will be recruited from allied health programmes and randomly assigned to either existing pre-practicum training plus intervention or the training-as-usual control group. Participants will be assessed at three time-points: baseline before intervention (T1), two weeks post-intervention (T2) and two months post-intervention (T3). The intention-to-treat principle and linear-regression-based maximum likelihood multi-level models will be used for data analysis. Feasibility and Potential: This project brings together experts in mindset research, fieldwork coordinators, and programme leaders, ensuring the feasibility of the study. It will not only generate evidence on the adapted We-SMILE intervention for allied health practicum trainees but also offer a scalable and accessible model for enhancing the well-being of trainees in other healthcare and helping professions.

Conditions

Anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Anxiety related to practicum

  Anxiety related to practicum will be measured by four items, including "level of anxiety about starting the practicum", "how much your anxiety will interfere with their learning", "how prepared you are for the practicum" and "how excited you are to participate in the practicum". Each statement will be rated on a 10-point Likert scale, ranging from 1=completely not anxious, very small, completely unprepared, and completely unexcited to 10=extremely anxious, very great, perfectly prepared, and extremely excited.

  Baseline, 2-week and 8-week follow-ups

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Psychological states

  Baseline, 2-week and 8-week follow-ups

• Performance anxiety

  Baseline, 2-week and 8-week follow-ups

• Learning orientation

  Baseline, 2-week and 8-week follow-ups

• Confidence

  Baseline, 2-week and 8-week follow-ups

• Resilient Coping

  Baseline, 2-week and 8-week follow-ups

Study Arms (2)

Web-based Single-session Intervention of Mindset on Intelligence, Failure, and Emotion (We-SMILE)

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention is structured into three video-and-exercise sessions. Part one focuses on students' mindsets in coping with practicum-related challenges and their attitudes towards setbacks, encouraging them to shift from a 'fear-of-failure' mindset to a 'failure-is-enhancing' mindset. Part two introduces the nature and concept of neuroplasticity to promote students' understanding of effective learning. Part three centers on providing guidance for students on strategies to cope with stress and emotional turbulence with growth mindset regarding emotion.

Behavioral: Web-based Single-session Intervention of Mindset on Intelligence, Failure, and Emotion (We-SMILE) for allied health practicum trainees

Training-as-usual group

NO INTERVENTION

The training-as-usual group will continue the regular practicum training.

Interventions

Web-based Single-session Intervention of Mindset on Intelligence, Failure, and Emotion (We-SMILE) for allied health practicum trainees BEHAVIORAL

The intervention is structured into three video-and-exercise sessions. Part one focuses on students' mindsets in coping with practicum-related challenges and their attitudes towards setbacks, encouraging them to shift from a 'fear-of-failure' mindset to a 'failure-is-enhancing' mindset. Part two introduces the nature and concept of neuroplasticity to promote students' understanding of effective learning. Part three centers on providing guidance for students on strategies to cope with stress and emotional turbulence with growth mindset regarding emotion.

Web-based Single-session Intervention of Mindset on Intelligence, Failure, and Emotion (We-SMILE)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Students enrolled in allied health programmes who are about to commence their practicums or have recently entered practicum.

You may not qualify if:

• (1) do not consent to participate, (2) cannot concentrate for at least 45 minutes to complete the intervention and questionnaires, (3) have a disability or serious physical or mental illness resulting in poor condition, and (4) do not participate in the practicum.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Shimin Zhu, PhD

CONTACT

+852 2766 5787; jasmine.zhu@polyu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2025
• First Posted: July 25, 2025
• Study Start: August 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2026
• Study Completion: March 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06