The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in enhancing resilience and mitigating occupational burnout among nurses: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Yu-Chih Lin, Chien-Hung Wu, Tzuhui Angie Tseng, Masamine Jimba, Gen-Min Lin, Yun-Chen Chang
Applied nursing research : ANR July 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2026.152125 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,194 |
| Population | Nurses |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotional exhaustion Mental fatigue Nurses Occupational burnout |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved nurses' resilience (SMD = 0.27), mindfulness (SMD = 0.85), and job satisfaction (SMD = 0.43), but the reduction in emotional exhaustion, the core dimension of occupational burnout, was minimal and non-significant (SMD = -0.38, P = 0.050). The authors conclude that evidence on burnout and broader psychological outcomes remains limited and inconsistent. |
Abstract
To evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on resilience, occupational burnout, mindfulness, and psychological outcomes among nurses. The present study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261355396). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included that evaluated the effects of MBIs on resilience and burnout among nurses. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) for primary outcomes: resilience and occupational burnout (including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). Eleven studies with 1194 nurses were included in the systematic review, of which ten trials (pooled n = 835) contributed to the meta-analyses. MBIs significantly improved resilience (SMD = 0.27, P = 0.020) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). However, the effect on reducing emotional exhaustion and the core dimension of occupational burnout was minimal and non-significant (SMD = -0.38, P = 0.050), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 69%). MBIs also significantly improved mindfulness (SMD = 0.85, P = 0.008) and job satisfaction (SMD = 0.43, P = 0.003). MBIs may provide beneficial effects on resilience and job satisfaction among nurses. However, evidence remains limited and inconsistent on occupational burnout and broader psychological outcomes. With standardized intervention protocols and long-term follow-up, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted. PROSPERO CRD420261355396.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 13
- Effects of a mindfulness-based interventions on stress, burnout in nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry August 3, 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on the well-being of healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. General Psychiatry 2024
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on burnout, resilience and sleep quality among nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Nursing July 1, 2025
- A systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce ICU nurse burnout: global evidence and thematic synthesis. BMC Nursing July 15, 2025
- The effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress overload, depression, and mindfulness among nurses: A randomized controlled trial. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing February 1, 2024
and 8 more in the library