Multi-modal mindfulness training and well-being for healthcare students.
Rachele J Harrison, Elizabeth A Buckley, Natalie J Ross, Cynthia E Witte, Wayne L Thompson
Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.12.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Pharmacy and other healthcare students |
| Interventions | Mindfulness activities mobile app reflective discussion |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Healthcare students Interprofessional education Well-being |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Mindfulness activities significantly improved resilient coping, mindfulness awareness, and mental well-being among healthcare students, but did not significantly reduce depression, anxiety, or stress. |
Abstract
Mindfulness is a mental state attained through focusing awareness on the present with calm acceptance of thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This study evaluated impact of mindfulness activities on well-being of pharmacy and other healthcare students. Research participants completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires evaluating multi-modal mindfulness interventions. Due to the pandemic, sessions led by a certified mindfulness instructor were offered live online and recorded, supplemented by a well-being mobile app and reflective discussion component. Four composite scales were administered to participants. The Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-15), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) inventories measured resilient coping skills, awareness, and psychological symptoms, including stress, depression, and anxiety. Exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to determine scale reliability and validity. Thirty-six participants completed both pre- and post-intervention questionnaires (n = 36). Significant improvement was found in well-being for BRCS, FFMQ-15, and WEMWBS measures (P < .05). Change in DASS-21 was not significant (P = .19). Mobile app use enhanced foundational mindfulness skills. Awareness, connection, and coping themes were identified from written comments. Evaluation of this multi-modal interprofessional intervention provides further evidence of benefits of mindfulness for pharmacy and other healthcare students. The mobile app and mindful movement with reflection improved all attributes measured by the composite scales. Further research may explore alternative multi-modal mindfulness interventions and incorporation into healthcare education curricula. Interprofessional collaboration is encouraged among faculty to enhance mindfulness while connecting healthcare professionals.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Feasibility of Modified Mindfulness Training Program for Antenatal Depression and Perceived Stress Among Expectant Mothers with Male Child Preference. Healthcare March 7, 2025
- A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Its Effects on Mental Health and Academic Performance in University Students The Open Psychology Journal July 21, 2025
Cites 6
- Online Mindfulness Intervention, Mental Health and Attentional Abilities: A Randomized Controlled Trial in University Students During COVID-19 Lockdown. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
- Effects of mindfulness meditation on mindfulness, mental well-being, and perceived stress. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning August 7, 2019
- Mindfulness Training for Health Profession Students-The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Psychological Well-Being, Learning and Clinical Performance of Health Professional Students: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Non-randomized Controlled Trials. Explore October 24, 2016
- Mindfulness based stress reduction for medical students: optimising student satisfaction and engagement. BMC Medical Education August 18, 2016
- Weekly Change in Mindfulness and Perceived Stress in a Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction Program Journal of Clinical Psychology July 1, 2012
and 1 more in the library