A brief mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for nurses and nurse aides.
Corey S Mackenzie, Patricia A Poulin, Rhonda Seidman-Carlson
Applied nursing research : ANR May 2006 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2005.08.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Nurses and nurse aides |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction program |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Compared with wait-list controls, participants in the 4-week mindfulness intervention experienced significant improvements in burnout symptoms, relaxation, and life satisfaction, suggesting that brief mindfulness training may help nurses manage stress. |
Abstract
Whereas the causes and negative consequences of stress among nurses are well known, less is known about effective ways to reduce or prevent this growing problem. Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs are proving to be effective in reducing stress and improving health in a variety of clinical populations. A smaller body of evidence suggests that these programs are also effective for nonclinical populations at risk for stress-related health problems. This study involved the development and evaluation of a brief 4-week mindfulness intervention for one such group-nurses and nurse aides. In comparison with 14 wait-list control participants, 16 participants in the mindfulness intervention experienced significant improvements in burnout symptoms, relaxation, and life satisfaction. The results of this pilot study, together with a natural fit between mindfulness philosophy and nursing practice theory, suggest that mindfulness training is a promising method for helping those in the nursing profession manage stress, even when provided in a brief format.