Effects of a combined nature-based and audio-based virtual mindfulness intervention on stress and wellbeing of COVID-19 healthcare workers: a randomized controlled trial.
Polycarpe Bagereka, Rezvan Ameli, Ninet Sinaii, Marcelli Cristine Vocci, Angelina Mangiardi Coulter, Michael Neustedter, Ann Berger
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 78 |
| Population | Healthcare workers |
| Interventions | surfing body scan |
| Duration | Three or five-day nature retreat, 10-day mindfulness program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Audio-based intervention Covid-19 Healthcare workers Nature-based therapy Palliative care Boosting wellbeing Improved wellbeing Overall wellbeing Incorporating mindfulness Enhanced by mindfulness |
| Key findings | Nature-based programs improved overall wellbeing among COVID-19 healthcare workers, and adding an audio-based mindfulness intervention helped maintain those improvements, but neither intervention reduced perceived stress. |
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent transition to an endemic phase has highly increased psychosocial distress among healthcare workers. This chronic stress may culminate into burnout, which has been associated with impaired patient care and increased medical errors. Exposure to nature-based programs have been shown to reduce levels of perceived stress and promote well-being. However, benefits derived from nature programs can be short-lived. Mindfulness-based interventions represent a promising additive option to enhance benefit. The present study proposes to combine a nature-based program with an audio-based mindfulness intervention to address stress and promote psychosocial-spiritual wellbeing in COVID-19 healthcare workers. Between June 2021 and October 2023, 78 healthcare workers were randomized into a Nature only group (Nature), a Combined Nature-Mindfulness group (Combined), and a control group (Control), with 19, 16, and 18 subjects completing the study, respectively (23-46 years, mean = 35, SD = 6). The nature program was a three or five-day retreat during which participants engaged in rock climbing, surfing or kayaking. The virtual audio mindfulness intervention was a 10-day program offered online and included mindful breathing, body scan, and loving-kindness meditation. Participants completed self-administered assessments at three or four time points during the study, including at baseline and following study procedures. Assessments included a measure of stress, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a measure of wellbeing, the National Institute of Health Healing Experience of All Life Stressors (NIH-HEALS). The mean baseline Perceived Stress Scale score was 21.2 ± 3.2 in the Combined group, 22.3 ± 2.8 in the Nature group, and 23.2 ± 3.3 in the Control group. Perceived Stress Scale levels did not change following nature-based and mindfulness-based interventions. The mean baseline NIH-HEALS score was 123.1 ± 19.4 in the Combined group, 118.1 ± 17.1 in the Nature group, and 114.3 ± 17.8 in the Control groups. NIH-HEALS scores increased in both the Nature and Combined groups when compared to the Control group. At follow-up, the Combined group maintained improvements in wellbeing when compared to the Nature group. Findings suggest that nature-based programs can be used to improve overall wellbeing among COVID-19 healthcare workers. Additionally, integrating audio-based mindfulness practices to these programs may enhance their benefits. Notably however, these interventions may not effectively reduce perceived stress among COVID-19 healthcare workers. Due to diminished power of the present study, further research is needed to validate and refine the present findings.
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
Cites 9
- Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians JAMA September 22, 2009
- Psychosocial-spiritual well-being is related to resilience and mindfulness in patients with severe and/or life-limiting medical illness BMC Palliative Care September 11, 2023
- Effects of Web-Based Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among Frontline Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research August 29, 2023
- Nature and Mindfulness to Cope with Work-Related Stress: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health May 13, 2022
- The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress and Burnout in Nurses Journal of Holistic Nursing May 17, 2021
and 4 more in the library