StreAM—Stress Reduction and Team Empowerment by Mindfulness for Hospital Staff: A Feasibility Trial
Iris Müller-Käser, Johanna Thiele, André Fringer, Hannele Hediger-Seppälä, Yuka Nakamura, Sophia Wittchow, Klaus Kramer, Marc Schläppi
Mindfulness April 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02796-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective within-subject pre-post feasibility trial Preregistered Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Female hospital employees from oncology, obstetrics, or surgery departments in a Swiss tertiary hospital |
| Measures | Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Burnout Screening Scale (BOSS), WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Burnout-related discomfort significantly decreased, particularly physical discomforts, and health-related overall quality of life significantly improved. Mindfulness scores increased non-significantly, and team atmosphere improved. The intervention was feasible and potentially effective, but controlled studies are needed. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives This trial assessed the feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for reducing stress in healthcare professionals in acute inpatient care. Research questions addressed the MBI’s feasibility and impact on mindfulness, burnout-related discomfort, overall quality of life, and team atmosphere.
Method: Twenty female hospital employees from oncology, obstetrics, or surgery departments in a Swiss tertiary hospital participated. A prospective within-subject pre-post design was used for this feasibility trial. Participants underwent a modified version of Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, including sessions and daily self-guided practice. Mindfulness, burnout-related discomfort, overall quality of life, and team atmosphere were assessed using validated instruments. A qualitative focus group interview evaluated the program.
Results: Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) scores increased non-significantly. Burnout Screening Scale (BOSS) scores significantly decreased in burnout-related discomfort, especially in “Physical discomforts” ( p < 0.002; Kendall’s W = 0.31). WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scores for “health-related overall quality of life” significantly improved ( p < 0.02; Kendall’s W = 0.19). Positive changes in team atmosphere were observed. Focus group interviews emphasized the importance of mindfulness and potential for team communication improvement, recommending its implementation for the entire team.
Conclusions: The MBI showed feasibility and potential effectiveness in reducing burnout-related discomfort and improving overall quality of life among healthcare professionals in acute inpatient settings. Joint mindfulness practice also enhanced team atmosphere. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.
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
Cites 18
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- 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
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
and 13 more in the library