A systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce ICU nurse burnout: global evidence and thematic synthesis.
Budur Ateeq A Alharbi, Niall McKenna
BMC Nursing July 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-025-03507-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | ICU nurses |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Icu nurses Mindfulness-based interventions mbis Occupational stress Systematic review Mindfulness programs Stress reduction techniques Nurse burnout Emotional exhaustion Professional fatigue Icu nurse well-being Nurse retention Evidence synthesis Research review |
| Citations | 19 |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active March 2026 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions effectively reduce emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and stress-related symptoms among ICU nurses, with longer and more structured programs yielding more sustained benefits. |
Abstract
Burnout among ICU nurses remains a global concern due to their constant exposure to high-stress, high-stakes environments. Sustained psychological strain, ethical dilemmas, and workload intensity contribute to emotional exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction, and compromised patient outcomes. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in mitigating burnout and occupational stress among ICU nurses, and to examine how the duration and structure of these interventions influence their impact. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE for peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2025. Inclusion criteria were guided by the PICOT framework. Eight studies-comprising randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, cohort, and cross-sectional designs-met the eligibility criteria. Data were synthesized narratively, and methodological quality was assessed using appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Thematic analysis revealed three major findings: (1) MBIs effectively reduced emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and stress-related symptoms among ICU nurses; (2) longer and more structured interventions, such as the 8-week MBSR programs, demonstrated more sustained benefits compared to shorter MBIs; and (3) demographic and contextual factors-including age, years of ICU experience, organizational support, and delivery format-moderated the effectiveness of interventions. All included studies demonstrated medium to high methodological quality. Mindfulness-based interventions are effective and scalable tools for mitigating burnout among ICU nurses. Evidence supports their integration into wellness initiatives within hospital settings, with attention to program structure, duration, and organizational facilitation. Implementation of MBIs may improve nurse wellbeing, resilience, and retention in high-stress care environments.
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
Cited by 7
- DA AUTOMAÇÃO À PRESENÇA: INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL GENERATIVA, MINDFULNESS E A COORDENAÇÃO DO CUIDADO NA FISIOTERAPIA INTENSIVA Revista Contemporânea September 22, 2026
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Promote Positive Psychology Among Nurses: An Umbrella Review International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology August 26, 2026
- Mindfulness as a buffer against job burnout and teaching motivation decline in academia Mental Wellness February 19, 2026
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in enhancing resilience and mitigating occupational burnout among nurses: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Applied nursing research : ANR July 28, 2026
- Breathe to Better Sleep: Effect of Mindfulness Exercises on Stress Reduction and Sleep Quality among Staff Nurses: A Pre-experimental Study International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases April 1, 2026
and 2 more in the library