NCT07717047

Brief Summary

In response to the concerning decline in nursing students' mental health, innovative measures were piloted in several nursing schools (IFSI) in 2024. Notably, a pilot program by the \*Mutuelle Nationale des Hospitaliers\* (MNH) was launched to address rising dropout rates, the increase in anxiety and depressive disorders, and the finding that nearly 25% of these young people have experienced suicidal thoughts. In this context, "Potential Optimization Techniques" (TOP) emerge as a promising avenue for intervention. Developed in the 1990s within the French military by Dr. Édith Perreaut-Pierre to meet the demands of operational stress, TOPs comprise a structured set of psycho-cognitive and behavioral strategies designed to optimize physical, mental, and emotional resources according to the requirements of the task at hand. They have proven effective in stress management, fatigue prevention, and the improvement of concentration and recovery, as well as in mobilizing the motivational and emotional resources needed for sustained performance (Perreaut-Pierre, 2024). Their pragmatic, adaptable, and self-directed nature makes them a potentially valuable tool for healthcare students, who also face demanding environments. TOPs could thus address the current concerns of nursing schools and the requirements of the 2026 reform by enabling students to develop emotional agility, autonomy in stress management, and a sense of agency in the face of training challenges. These anticipated benefits align with institutional goals aimed at reducing stress, fatigue, and academic dropout rates, while fostering well-being and performance within the healthcare professions.

Trial Health

65
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Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
340

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
24mo left

Started Sep 2026

Typical duration for not_applicable

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 16, 2026

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 21, 2026

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2026

Expected
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 2, 2028

Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 2, 2028

Last Updated

July 21, 2026

Status Verified

July 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

July 16, 2026

Last Update Submit

July 16, 2026

Conditions

Stress Related Nurse Study

Keywords

nurse study

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • General Self-Efficacy Score (GSE)

    Change in General Self-Efficacy score between baseline (T0) and 24 months (T3), comparing the intervention and control groups using the General Self-Efficacy Scale developed by Schwarzer and Jerusalem.

    Baseline to 24 months

Study Arms (2)

TOP Intervention Group

OTHER
Other: TOP INTERVENTION GROUP

TOP Control Group

OTHER
Other: TOP CONTROL GROUP

Interventions

TOP INTERVENTION GROUPOTHER

Participants received a four-hour theoretical session on stress, fatigue, motivation, and the Principles of Potential Optimization Techniques (TOP). In addition, participants attended six practical TOP training sessions delivered over a 10-month period in small groups. During the third year of nursing education, participants took part in a healthcare simulation exercise integrating the skills and techniques learned through the TOP program.

TOP Intervention Group
TOP CONTROL GROUPOTHER

Participants received the same four-hour theoretical session on stress, fatigue, motivation, and the principles of Potential Optimization Techniques (TOP). However, they did not participate in any practical TOP training sessions. During the third year of nursing education, participants completed the same healthcare simulation exercise using their own personal coping resources without TOP training.

TOP Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • \- The participants in this study are nursing students enrolled in the 2025-2028 cohorts at the Esquirol and Clémenceau Nursing Training Institutes (IFSI), affiliated with the Hospices Civils de Lyon.

You may not qualify if:

  • Current history of severe neuropsychiatric conditions (severe depressive disorder, severe anxiety disorder)-self-reported-or uncontrolled acute psychiatric symptoms during the study (severe anxiety, severe behavioral disturbances).

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 16, 2026

First Posted

July 21, 2026

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 2, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 2, 2028

Last Updated

July 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07