Effectiveness of an online mindfulness-based stress reduction program for nurses in high-stress occupational settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ching-Wen Hsieh, Wan-Na Sun, Hui-Ying Chiang, Shih-Feng Weng, Yi-Fen Hsu, Erica Yu, Hsin-Tien Hsu
Applied nursing research : ANR February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2025.152032 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Convergent parallel mixed-methods design Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Nurses in COVID-19-designated wards |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Covid-19-dedicated ward Pandemic fatigue Resilience |
| Registration | NCT06433544 |
| Key points | The online MBSR program significantly reduced pandemic fatigue and improved resilience among frontline nurses compared with a control group. |
Abstract
Frontline nurses face heavy infection control demands, rotating shifts, and psychological stress, leading to pandemic fatigue and reduced resilience. Evidence on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for this group remains limited. To evaluate the effectiveness of an online MBSR program on pandemic-related fatigue and resilience among nurses in COVID-19-designated wards. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. Sixty nurses were assigned to the MBSR (n = 30) or control (n = 30) groups. The six-week online program included weekly 90-min sessions. Data were collected at baseline (T1), week 3 (T2), and week 6 (T3). Seven MBSR participants also completed qualitative interviews. At baseline, both groups demonstrated moderate levels of pandemic fatigue and resilience. The MBSR group showed a significant reduction in pandemic fatigue at T3 (p < 0.001) but not at T2 (p = 0.057), and significant improvements in resilience at both T2 (p < 0.001) and T3 (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the MBSR group exhibited significantly greater reductions in fatigue at T2 (p = 0.007) and T3 (p < 0.001), as well as greater improvements in resilience at T2 (p < 0.001) and T3 (p < 0.001). Qualitative analysis further identified four themes illustrating participants' experiences of the program. This study provides preliminary evidence that an online MBSR program may help alleviate pandemic fatigue and strengthen resilience among frontline nurses. Integrating digital mindfulness programs into occupational health initiatives could support nurses' mental well-being and compassionate care in high-stress clinical settings. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier no. NCT06433544 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06433544).
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 5
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- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Psychological Functioning of Healthcare Professionals: a Systematic Review Mindfulness September 24, 2020
- Functional neuroanatomy of meditation: A review and meta-analysis of 78 functional neuroimaging investigations. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 21, 2016