Zentangle® Pilot Study: A Mindfulness Exercise for Oncology Nurses.
McKenzie Klee, Mary Heitschmidt, Theodore Hiemstra, Krista Lodewyk, Mary Ellen Hand, Madeline McIntosh, Catherine Yockey, Jessica Bishop-Royse
Clinical journal of oncology nursing March 15, 2024 DOI: 10.1188/24.cjon.173-180 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Oncology nurses in a clinical practice setting |
| Intervention | Zentangle |
| Duration | Two-hour class plus four weeks of art practice |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29, Professional Quality of Life measure |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Zentangle Burnout Expressive art intervention Oncology nurse Stress |
| Key points | Among 24 oncology nurses who completed a two-hour Zentangle class plus four weeks of practice, the authors report significant improvements in well-being, socialization, anxiety, fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and stress. Most participants said they would continue using Zentangle after the study. |
Abstract
This study introduced Zentangle®, which involves drawing simple, repetitive lines and shapes to create patterns, as a tool to promote wellness for oncology nurses in a clinical practice setting. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Zentangle used as a meditative activity in an acute time frame decreased stress, fatigue, and burnout while increasing professional quality of life and well-being in oncology nurses. Twenty-six oncology nurses participated in a two-hour Zentangle class and received materials to complete art over four weeks. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29, and the Professional Quality of Life measure were administered at selected periods. Twenty-four participants completed the study. Nurses' well-being, socialization, anxiety, fatigue, secondary traumatic stress levels, and stress levels improved significantly. Most participants noted they would continue using Zentangle after the study. Zentangle is another tool to advance nurses' wellness by encouraging self-care.