Yoga and Mindfulness as a Tool for Influencing Affectivity, Anxiety, Mental Health, and Stress among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial
G. L. Torre, A. Raffone, Margherita Peruzzo, Lucia Calabrese, R. Cocchiara, V. D’Egidio, Pasquale Fabio Leggieri, B. Dorelli, S. Zaffina, A. Mannocci, F. Brocca, S. Cianfanelli, G. Dalmasso
Journal of Clinical Medicine April 1, 2020 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041037 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA single-arm clinical trial tested a four-week combined yoga and mindfulness-based stress reduction course for healthcare workers from two hospitals in Rome. Among forty participants, the Mental Composite Score-12, a quality-of-life measure, rose from a median of 43.5 to 48.1, and negative affect scores fell from 16 to 10. State and trait anxiety scores also decreased. The authors suggest that combining yoga and mindfulness may help healthcare workers reduce stress and anxiety and better manage work-related demands.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Single-arm clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Healthcare workers from two hospitals in Rome |
| Duration | 4-week course |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | The combined yoga and mindfulness intervention was associated with improved mental quality of life and reduced negative affect and anxiety in healthcare workers. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as unique approaches for addressing a range of clinical and subclinical difficulties such as stress, chronic pain, anxiety, or recurrent depression. Moreover, there is strong evidence about the positive effects of yoga practice on stress management and prevention of burnout among healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to conduct a single-arm clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of an intervention based on mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga in improving healthcare workers’ quality of life. Healthcare workers of two hospitals in Rome were enrolled in a 4-week yoga and mindfulness course. Four questionnaires were administered at different times (Short Form-12 (SF-12), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Y1 and Y2, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)) to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Forty participants took part to the study (83.3 %). The Mental Composite Score-12, that is part of the quality of life assessment, passed from a median of 43.5 preintervention to 48.1 postintervention (p = 0.041), and the negative affect passed from a score of 16 in the preintervention to 10 in the postintervention (p < 0.001). Both the forms of the STAI questionnaires showed a decrease after the intervention. Yoga and mindfulness administered together seem to be effective to reduce stress and anxiety in healthcare workers, providing them with more consciousness and ability to manage work stressful demands.