Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hanne Verweij, Hiske Van Ravesteijn, Madelon L M Van Hooff, Antoine L M Lagro-Janssen, Anne E. M. Speckens
Journal of General Internal Medicine April 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-017-4249-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 148 |
| Population | Medical residents from all medical, surgical, and primary care disciplines, self-referred |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Eight weekly 2.5-hour sessions and one 6-hour silent day; assessment at baseline and post-intervention approximately 3 months later |
| Measures | Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment subscales), worry, work-home interference, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, positive mental health, empathy (perspective-taking), medical errors |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Burnout Emotional exhaustion Randomized controlled trial Residents |
| Key findings | MBSR did not significantly reduce emotional exhaustion, the primary outcome, compared with a waitlist control. The MBSR group showed modest improvements in personal accomplishment, worry, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, and perspective-taking (empathy), and exploratory moderation analysis suggested those with greater baseline emotional exhaustion seemed to benefit. The authors state more research is needed to confirm these results. |
Abstract
Burnout is highly prevalent in residents. No randomized controlled trials have been conducted measuring the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on burnout in residents. To determine the effectiveness of MBSR in reducing burnout in residents. A randomized controlled trial comparing MBSR with a waitlist control group. Residents from all medical, surgical and primary care disciplines were eligible to participate. Participants were self-referred. The MBSR consisted of eight weekly 2.5-h sessions and one 6-h silent day. The primary outcome was the emotional exhaustion subscale of the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey. Secondary outcomes included the depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment subscales of burnout, worry, work-home interference, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, positive mental health, empathy and medical errors. Assessment took place at baseline and post-intervention approximately 3 months later. Of the 148 residents participating, 138 (93%) completed the post-intervention assessment. No significant difference in emotional exhaustion was found between the two groups. However, the MBSR group reported significantly greater improvements than the control group in personal accomplishment (p = 0.028, d = 0.24), worry (p = 0.036, d = 0.23), mindfulness skills (p = 0.010, d = 0.33), self-compassion (p = 0.010, d = 0.35) and perspective-taking (empathy) (p = 0.025, d = 0.33). No effects were found for the other measures. Exploratory moderation analysis showed that the intervention outcome was moderated by baseline severity of emotional exhaustion; those with greater emotional exhaustion did seem to benefit. The results of our primary outcome analysis did not support the effectiveness of MBSR for reducing emotional exhaustion in residents. However, residents with high baseline levels of emotional exhaustion did appear to benefit from MBSR. Furthermore, they demonstrated modest improvements in personal accomplishment, worry, mindfulness skills, self-compassion and perspective-taking. More research is needed to confirm these results.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 25
- The importance of formal versus informal mindfulness practice for enhancing psychological wellbeing and study engagement in a medical student cohort with a 5-week mindfulness-based lifestyle program. PLoS One 2021
- Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Children with Mental Health Problems: a 2-Year Follow-up Randomized Controlled Study Mindfulness October 16, 2021
- Sustainable benefits of mindfulness training in health professions education. BMC Medical Education March 27, 2025
- Sir William Osler: A forerunner of mindfulness in medical practice. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings June 10, 2019
- Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Patients With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Management Nursing March 12, 2025
and 20 more in the library
Cites 8
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians JAMA September 22, 2009
- Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs PLoS One April 16, 2015
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Mental Health of Clinical Clerkship Students: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges July 2017
- Outcomes of MBSR or MBSR-based interventions in health care providers: A systematic review with a focus on empathy and emotional competencies. Complementary Therapies in Medicine February 1, 2016
and 3 more in the library