The Effects of the Relaxation Response on Nurses' Level of Anxiety, Depression, Well-Being, Work-Related Stress, and Confidence to Teach Patients.
Catherine Calder Calisi
Journal of Holistic Nursing December 2017 DOI: 10.1177/0898010117719207 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial (wait-list) Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Nurses |
| Duration | 8-week practice period |
| Topics | Meditation Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Caregivers Caring Expanding consciousness Holistic nursing Mind-body techniques Nurses basic Stress and coping |
| Key findings | Practicing the Relaxation Response for eight weeks produced no statistically significant changes in nurses' anxiety, depression, well-being, or work-related stress. Nurses did report significantly greater confidence in teaching the technique to patients. The authors suggest larger studies may reveal more substantial reductions in workplace stress and anxiety for nurses. |
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot study was threefold: to teach nurses the Relaxation Response ( RR), a relaxation technique created by Benson; to measure the effects of the RR on nurses' levels of anxiety, depression, well-being, and work-related stress; and to explore nurses' confidence in teaching their patients the RR. A wait-list, randomized-control quantitative study design was used. Nurses in the intervention group were trained on the benefits and the technique of the RR and were then asked to practice the RR over an 8-week period. No statistical significance was found in nurses' reported level of anxiety, depression, well-being, and work-related stress. However, the nurses reported greater confidence in teaching this technique to patients ( p < .001). As a strategy for self-care in the workplace, nurses were receptive to learning the RR and reported confidence in using this strategy for their patients. Larger studies may reveal more significant reductions in workplace stress and anxiety for nurses.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effects of a mindfulness-based interventions on stress, burnout in nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry August 3, 2023
- Mindfulness-Based and Mindfulness-Informed Interventions at the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of RCTs. Mindfulness May 11, 2023
- The effect of relaxation education intervention on stress, anxiety, and depression in female teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Education and Health Promotion 2023
Cites 7
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and 2 more in the library