Managing Minds at Work: A Feasibility Pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of a Web-based Interactive Training for Managers to Promote Mental Health at Work (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.76373
• Publication Date: 2025-04-24T14:40:10Z
• Authors: Juliet Hassard; Holly Blake; Teixiera Dulal-Ar...; Alexandra Frost; Craig Bartle; Jo Yarker; Fehmidah Munir; Benjamin Vaughan; Guy Daly; Caroline Meyer; Sean Russell; Louise Thomson
• Keywords: Preprint

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Line managers (LM) have a key role in the primary prevention of poor mental health but need right skills and knowledge to effectively fulfil this role. Existing interventions aimed at LMs focus on increasing their awareness, rather than providing these skills. The evidence-based Managing Minds Work (MMW) web-based training intervention was developed address gap increase LM’s confidence competencies prevent among those they manage. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study pilot feasibility test MMW intervention. objectives were assess: (i) potential for uptake within small, medium, large companies; (ii) perceived suitability effectiveness intervention; (iii) data collection methods outcome measures. <title>METHODS</title> We conducted two-armed cluster randomised controlled trial testing self-guided, line managers. Twenty-four organisations randomly allocated either or 3-month wait-list. 224 recruited completed baseline measures (n=141 arm; n= 83 control group) as well 112 direct reports: (n= 74 n=38 control). Follow-up taken 3 6-months. Semi-structured interviews carried out with stakeholders (n=20) explore experience Thematic analysis used analyse qualitative data. also feedback forms after completing each five modules. <title>RESULTS</title> recruitment exceeded targets retention rates good three months (71.9%), not six-month follow-up (24.6%). Feedback very positive, indicating that organisational found acceptable, usable, useful. Significant improvements moderate effect sizes occurred all outcomes arm from follow-up. reported increased creating mentally healthy workplace (Int MΔ =3.8, Cnt =.6), =1.9, =.2), psychological wellbeing =3.6, =-.7), work literacy = 11.8, =.8). Collecting reports both arms challenging results inconclusive effect. Time constraints workload commonly cited barriers completion <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> provides strong evidence usability acceptability digital managers, research design process. has improve LM promote better highlighted some considerations inform future delivery evaluation large-scale definitive trial. <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05154019