A mindfulness-based stress management program and treatment with omega-3 fatty acids to maintain a healthy mental state in hospital nurses (Happy Nurse Project): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress management program, alone or combined with omega-3 fatty acids, in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in junior nurses.
Results Summary
The abstract does not provide specific results on the effectiveness of the mindfulness intervention, as the study appears to be ongoing or results are pending. The primary outcome is the change in HADS scores at 26 weeks, with secondary outcomes including various mental health metrics at 13 and 52 weeks.
Population
Junior nurses without managerial positions working in general hospitals in Japan.
Effective Dosage
The mindfulness intervention consisted of four 30-minute individual sessions.
Duration
The mindfulness sessions were conducted over an unspecified period, but follow-up assessments occurred at 13, 26, and 52 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
omega-3 fatty acids | decrease | depression | nurses | - | evaluates the possible additive value for reducing | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress management program | decrease | depression | nurses | - | evaluates the possible additive value for reducing | #2 |
stress management program | neutral | - | nurses without a managerial position | - | allocated to | #3 |
psychoeducation using a leaflet | neutral | - | nurses without a managerial position | - | allocated to | #4 |
omega-3 fatty acids | neutral | - | nurses without a managerial position | - | allocated to | #5 |
identical placebo pills | neutral | - | nurses without a managerial position | - | allocated to | #6 |
omega-3 fatty acids | neutral | - | Participants allocated to the omega-3 fatty acid groups | 1,200 mg/day of eicosapentaenoic acid and 600 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid for 90 days | provided with | #7 |
BACKGROUND: It is reported that nursing is one of the most vulnerable jobs for developing depression. While they may not be clinically diagnosed as depressed, nurses often suffer from depression and anxiety symptoms, which can lead to a low level of patient care. However, there is no rigorous evidence base for determining an effective prevention strategy for these symptoms in nurses. After reviewing previous literature, we chose a strategy of treatment with omega-3 fatty acids and a mindfulness-based stress management program for this purpose. We aim to explore the effectiveness of these intervention options for junior nurses working in hospital wards in Japan. METHODS/DESIGN: A factorial-design multi-center randomized trial is currently being conducted. A total of 120 nurses without a managerial position, who work for general hospitals and gave informed consent, have been randomly allocated to a stress management program or psychoeducation using a leaflet, and to omega-3 fatty acids or identical placebo pills. The stress management program has been developed according to mindfulness cognitive therapy and consists of four 30-minute individual sessions conducted using a detailed manual. These sessions are conducted by nurses with a managerial position. Participants allocated to the omega-3 fatty acid groups are provided with 1,200 mg/day of eicosapentaenoic acid and 600 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid for 90 days. The primary outcome is the change in the total score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), determined by a blinded rater via the telephone at week 26. Secondary outcomes include the change in HADS score at 13 and 52 weeks; presence of a major depressive episode; severity of depression, anxiety, insomnia, burnout, and presenteeism; utility scores and adverse events at 13, 26 and 52 weeks. DISCUSSION: An effective preventive intervention may not only lead to the maintenance of a healthy mental state in nurses, but also to better quality of care for inpatients. This paper outlines the background and methods of a randomized trial that evaluates the possible additive value of omega-3 fatty acids and a mindfulness-based stress management program for reducing depression in nurses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02151162 (registered on 27 May 2014).