Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Long-Term Educational Intervention to Reduce Physicians' Stress-Related Conditions.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to test the acceptability and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program in alleviating work stress-related symptoms (burnout, HR, BP) among physicians.
Results Summary
The study found significant improvements in mindfulness levels, reductions in emotional exhaustion, HR, and BP after the initial 8-week treatment, with further increases in effect sizes over the 10-month maintenance phase, particularly for mindfulness and systolic BP. Acceptance was high, with low attrition and high compliance.
Population
42 physicians
Effective Dosage
8-week initial treatment plus 10-month maintenance phase
Duration
18 months total (8 weeks + 10 months)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | increase | mindfulness levels | physicians | - | significant improvements | #1 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | decrease | emotional exhaustion | physicians | - | reductions | #2 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | decrease | heart rate | physicians | - | reductions | #3 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | decrease | blood pressure | physicians | - | reductions | #4 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | increase | Effect sizes (Cohen d) | physicians | - | significantly increased | #5 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | increase | mindfulness | physicians | - | significantly increased | #6 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | increase | systolic BP | physicians | - | significantly increased | #7 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | decrease | developing burnout | physicians | - | reducing and controlling risks | #8 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | decrease | cardiovascular disease | physicians | - | reducing and controlling risks | #9 |
two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) | increase | well-being in life | physicians | - | enhancing | #10 |
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to test the acceptability and effectiveness of a two-phase mindfulness-based stress reduction program (8-week initial treatment plus a 10-month maintenance phase) in alleviating work stress-related symptoms (i.e., burnout, heart rate [HR], and blood pressure [BP]) in a sample of 42 physicians. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial and a simple pre-post design were used, respectively, for each of the two phases of the study. Outcome measures included the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Questionnaire. HR and BP measures were also obtained in the experimental group by means of a digital monitor. RESULTS: After the initial 8 weeks of treatment, significant improvements for the experimental group in mindfulness levels and reductions in emotional exhaustion, HR, and BP were obtained. Effect sizes (Cohen d) significantly increased over the 10-month maintenance period, especially for mindfulness and systolic BP. Acceptance was notably high (low attrition rate and high compliance with program activities). DISCUSSION: Outcomes are significant in terms of practical consequences for reducing and controlling risks of developing burnout and cardiovascular disease in this population and enhancing well-being in life.