A mindfulness training program based on brief practices (M-PBI) to reduce stress in the workplace: a randomised controlled pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness program (M-PBI) in reducing workplace stress and improving well-being among employees with high perceived stress.
Results Summary
The study found significant reductions in stress (PSS-14) and improvements in mindfulness (FFMQ), decentering (EQ-D), self-compassion (SCS), and burnout (MBI-GS) in the intervention group compared to controls. Heart rate variability (HRV) also improved in a subgroup.
Population
Employee-volunteers with high perceived stress (PSS-14 > 22), 77.5% female, median age 36.6 years.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (brief integrated mindfulness practices).
Duration
8 weeks (with 20-week follow-up).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) | decrease | stress | employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) | - | significant decrease | #1 |
mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) | increase | mindfulness | employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) | - | increase | #2 |
mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) | increase | decentering | employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) | - | improvement | #3 |
mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) | increase | self-compassion | employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) | - | improvement | #4 |
mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) | increase | burnout | employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) | - | improvement | #5 |
mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) | increase | Heart Rate Variability (HRV) | subgroup of employees (n = 10) of the interventional group randomly selected | - | improvement | #6 |
Work stress is a major contributor to absenteeism and reduced work productivity. A randomised and controlled study in employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) was performed to assess a mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) with the aim of reducing stress in the workplace. The PSS-14 of the employees before and after 8-weeks M-PBI program, as well as after a 20-week follow-up, was assessed (primary endpoint). The employees also carried the following questionnaires (secondary endpoints): Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Experiences Questionnaire-Decentering (EQ-D), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was measured during each session in a subgroup of employees (n = 10) of the interventional group randomly selected. A total of 40 employees (77.5% female median [SD] age of 36.6 [5.6] years) took part in this study: 21 and 19 in the intervention and control group, respectively. No differences in baseline characteristics were encountered between the groups. Results show a significant decrease in stress and increase in mindfulness over time in the intervention group (PSS-14 and FFMQ; p < 0.05 both). Additionally, an improvement in decentering (EQ-D), self-compassion (SCS) and burnout (MBI-GS) were also observed compared to the control group (p < 0.05 in all). HRV measurement also showed an improvement. In conclusion, a brief practices, 8-weeks M-BIP program is an effective tool to quickly reduce stress and improve well-being in a workplace.