Mindfulness training for stress management: a randomised controlled study of medical and psychology students.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of a seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme on mental distress, study stress, burnout, subjective well-being, and mindfulness in medical and psychology students.
Results Summary
The MBSR programme showed moderate effects on reducing mental distress and small effects on improving subjective well-being and the mindfulness facet 'non-reacting' in the intervention group compared to controls. Significant improvements were primarily observed in female students, who also reported reduced study stress and increased 'non-judging' mindfulness.
Population
Medical and psychology students (mean age = 23 years, 76% female) from the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (seven-week MBSR programme).
Duration
Seven weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | decrease | mental distress | medical and psychology students | Hedges'g 0.65, CI = .41, .88 | a moderate effect on | #1 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | increase | subjective well-being | medical and psychology students | Hedges'g 0.40, CI = .27, .63 | a small effect on | #2 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | increase | mindfulness facet 'non-reacting' | medical and psychology students | Hedges'g 0.33, CI = .10, .56 | a small effect on | #3 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | decrease | study stress | female medical and psychology students | - | reduced | #4 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | increase | mindfulness facet 'non-judging' | female medical and psychology students | - | an increase in | #5 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | decrease | mental distress | female medical and psychology students | - | significant positive improvements in | #6 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | decrease | study stress | female medical and psychology students | - | significant positive improvements in | #7 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | increase | subjective well-being | female medical and psychology students | - | significant positive improvements in | #8 |
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme | increase | mindfulness | female medical and psychology students | - | significant positive improvements in | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Distress and burnout among medical and psychology professionals are commonly reported and have implications for the quality of patient care delivered. Already in the course of university studies, medicine and psychology students report mental distress and low life satisfaction. There is a need for interventions that promote better coping skills in students in order to prevent distress and future burnout. This study examines the effect of a seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme on mental distress, study stress, burnout, subjective well-being, and mindfulness of medical and psychology students. METHODS: A total of 288 students (mean age = 23 years, 76% female) from the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The control group continued with their standard university courses and received no intervention. Participants were evaluated using self-reported measures both before and after the intervention. These were: the 'General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory Student version, Perceived Medical School Stress, Subjective Well-being, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire' and additional indices of compliance. RESULTS: Following the intervention, a moderate effect on mental distress (Hedges'g 0.65, CI = .41, .88), and a small effect on both subjective well-being (Hedges'g 0.40, CI = .27, .63) and the mindfulness facet 'non-reacting' (Hedges'g 0.33, CI = .10, .56) were found in the intervention group compared with the control group. A higher level of programme attendance and reported mindfulness exercises predicted these changes. Significant effects were only found for female students who additionally reported reduced study stress and an increase in the mindfulness facet 'non-judging'. Gender specific effects of participation in the MBSR programme have not previously been reported, and gender differences in the present study are discussed. CONCLUSION: Female medical and psychology students experienced significant positive improvements in mental distress, study stress, subjective well-being and mindfulness after participating in the MBSR programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00892138.