Heal the Healers: A pilot study evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and exploratory efficacy of a Transcendental Meditation intervention for emergency clinicians during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open December 1, 2021 Desiree R Azizoddin, Noelia Kvaternik, Meghan Beck et al.
A pilot study found that Transcendental Meditation (TM) training was feasible for emergency clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic and led to significant reductions in burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbance. Of 31 emergency clinicians (physicians, nurses, and physician-assistants) from two urban hospitals, 90.6% attended at least six of eight training sessions, and 80.6% meditated at least once daily. Burnout decreased significantly (Cohen's d = 0.43-0.45), and psychological symptoms showed larger improvements (Cohen's d = 0.70-0.87). TM appears to be a safe and effective tool for improving clinician well-being.