Reducing stress and promoting well-being in healthcare workers using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life
C. Strauss, Jenny Gu, J. Montero-Marín, A. Whittington, Cavita Chapman, W. Kuyken
International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology February 18, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100227 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial assigned 234 National Health Service workers to either mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life (MBCT-L) or a wait-list. MBCT-L reduced stress more than the wait-list, with a medium-to-large effect size, and improved well-being, depression, and anxiety. No effects were found for work-related outcomes. Mindfulness and self-compassion appeared to mediate the stress and well-being improvements. The authors suggest MBCT-L could be an effective component of a broader healthcare worker mental health strategy.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 234 |
| Population | NHS workers |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life (MBCT-L) |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | MBCT-L reduced stress compared with a wait-list control, with effects also found for well-being, depression, and anxiety but not for work-related outcomes. |
Abstract
Background/Objective Healthcare workers play a critical role in the health of a nation, yet rates of healthcare worker stress are disproportionately high. We evaluated whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life (MBCT-L), could reduce stress in healthcare workers and target a range of secondary outcomes. Method: This is the first parallel randomised controlled trial of MBCT-L. Participants were NHS workers, who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either MBCT-L or wait-list. The primary outcome was self-reported stress at post-intervention. Secondary variables were well-being, depression, anxiety, and work-related outcomes. Mixed regressions were used. Mindfulness and self/other-compassion were explored as potential mechanisms of effects on stress and wellbeing. Results: We assigned 234 participants to MBCT-L (n = 115) or to wait-list (n = 119). 168 (72%) participants completed the primary outcome and of those who started the MBCT-L 73.40% (n = 69) attended the majority of the sessions. MBCT-L ameliorated stress compared with controls (B = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.63‒3.56; d = -0.72; p < .0001). Effects were also found for well-being, depression and anxiety, but not for work-related outcomes. Mindfulness and self-compassion mediated effects on stress and wellbeing. Conclusions: MBCT-L could be an effective and acceptable part of a wider healthcare workers well-being and mental health strategy.