ArticleIrish journal of medical science2026
Performance psychology workshops for surgical trainees: A prospective pilot study on anxiety and mental toughness.
Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundPerformance anxiety and resilience are critical determinants of surgical trainee performance.
aimsTo evaluate the feasibility and preliminary impact of a brief performance psychology intervention, combining individual self-regulation with team-based performance strategies, on performance anxiety and mental toughness in surgical trainees.
methodsIn a prospective single-arm pilot and feasibility study in a university teaching hospital, nine surgical trainees from various subspecialities enrolled, with eight completing follow-up assessments. The intervention comprised two immersive workshops over two weeks, integrating individual and team-based psychological skills grounded in the biopsychosocial model of stress, challenge-threat appraisal, and high performance principles. Participants completed the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 and the Mental Toughness Evaluation Questionnaire-2 (MTE-2) at baseline (T0), three weeks (T1), and three months (T2).
resultsEight of nine trainees (89%) completed all follow-up assessments, and the programme was delivered as planned. Mental toughness (MTE-2) improved over time (p = 0.002), and a median improvement of 580 points (95% CI 200 to 880) was sustained at three months. Most marked improvement seen in pre-performance distraction control. Anxiety (SAS-2) showed a short-term reduction, clearest for the worry subscale, though returned to baseline at three months. Frequency of technique use did not correlate with outcomes.
conclusionsThis brief high-performance psychology intervention was feasible and acceptable and was associated with short-term reductions in performance anxiety and sustained improvements in mental toughness in surgical trainees. These findings support the feasibility of integrating time-efficient psychological training in surgical education. Larger, controlled studies are required to confirm efficacy and mechanisms.
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