The eye of the storm: a feasibility study of an adapted Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) group intervention to manage NHS staff stress
Robert Marx, Clara Strauss, Cleo Williamson
The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist December 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1017/s1754470x14000300 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Uncontrolled feasibility study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Staff in a National Health Service (NHS) mental health Trust |
| Intervention | Adapted Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | The adapted MBCT groups showed high feasibility and significant improvements in staff perceived stress and self-compassion at both post-therapy and 3-month follow-up. Qualitative data suggested many staff felt the groups improved their physical and emotional health, ability to manage stress at work, and quality of work with patients and relationships with colleagues. |
Abstract
AbstractA feasibility study evaluated five adapted Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) groups that were delivered to staff in a National Health Service (NHS) mental health Trust as part of a staff health and wellbeing initiative. Using an uncontrolled design typical of a feasibility study, recruitment, retention and acceptability of the groups were assessed. Effectiveness was also measured at pre- and post-therapy, and at 3-month follow-up, using quantitative methods. In addition, qualitative methods were used to explore staff experiences of the groups. Results demonstrated high levels of feasibility, and significant improvements in staff perceived stress and self-compassion at both post-therapy and follow-up. Qualitative data suggested many staff felt the groups had improved their physical and emotional health, their ability to manage stress at work and the quality of their work with patients and of their relationships with colleagues. Although Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has typically been used to help manage staff stress, these results are promising for the use of an adapted MBCT with this population. Challenges and factors contributing to these outcomes are discussed.
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 7
- Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy: An efficacy study for mental health care staff Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing May 21, 2018
- Exploring the Role of Mindfulness as a Potential Self-Management Strategy for Physiotherapy Students when on Clinical Placement International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care December 1, 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) Versus Stress Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP) for the Improvement of Mental Well-Being in Health Care and Other Public Sector Staff: Protocol for the Well at Work Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols May 26, 2025
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Self-compassion in Health Care Professionals: a Meta-analysis Mindfulness March 5, 2020
- Evaluation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life and a cognitive behavioural therapy stress-management workshop to improve healthcare staff stress: study protocol for two randomised controlled trials. Trials April 2, 2018
and 2 more in the library
Cites 17
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- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians JAMA September 22, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
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