Effects of mobile mindfulness on emergency department work stress: A randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether 4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice reduces stress levels among emergency department (ED) staff.
Results Summary
The study found statistically significant improvements in perceived stress, burnout components (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment), mindfulness, and well-being, though effect sizes were small. Only half of participants reported continuous app use.
Population
Emergency department staff in two Australian hospitals.
Effective Dosage
Daily 10-minute app-guided mindfulness sessions.
Duration
4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice | decrease | perceived stress levels | ED staff | F = 15.70, P < 0.001 | statistically significant improvement | #1 |
4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice | decrease | emotional exhaustion | ED staff | F = 14.22, P < 0.001 | statistically significant improvement | #2 |
4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice | decrease | depersonalisation | ED staff | F = 3.62, P = 0.030 | statistically significant improvement | #3 |
4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice | increase | personal accomplishment | ED staff | F = 7.51, P < 0.001 | statistically significant improvement | #4 |
4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice | increase | mindfulness | ED staff | F = 8.83, P < 0.001 | statistically significant improvement | #5 |
4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice | increase | wellbeing levels | ED staff | F = 10.71, P < 0.001 | statistically significant improvement | #6 |
brief mindfulness training via innovative digital technology | decrease | emergency staff stress | emergency staff | small effect sizes | had a small positive effect in improving | #7 |
brief mindfulness training via innovative digital technology | decrease | burnout | emergency staff | small effect sizes | had a small positive effect in improving | #8 |
brief mindfulness training via innovative digital technology | increase | mindfulness | emergency staff | small effect sizes | had a small positive effect in improving | #9 |
brief mindfulness training via innovative digital technology | increase | wellbeing | emergency staff | small effect sizes | had a small positive effect in improving | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: High-occupational stress among ED staff has a detrimental impact on both staff wellness and patient care. The objective of the study is to determine whether 4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice reduces stress levels of ED staff. METHODS: This two-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted in two Australian EDs in 2019-2020. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either an App group or a Wait to Treat group to practice daily 10 min app-guided mindfulness for 4 weeks. Online surveys were collected for both groups at three time periods: before (T1), immediately after (T2) and 3 months after cessation (T3). Then the Wait to Treat group received the same intervention, followed by surveys immediately after the intervention (T4) and 3 months later (T5). Primary outcome was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. Secondary outcomes were measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis were performed. Repeated measurement data were analysed by the linear mixed model. RESULTS: Of 148 enrolled participants 98 completed all the surveys, but only half (48%) reported continuous use of the app. Based on the results of the intention-to-treat analysis, there was a statistically significant improvement of perceived stress levels (F = 15.70, P < 0.001), all three components of burnout (emotional exhaustion [F = 14.22, P < 0.001], depersonalisation [F = 3.62, P = 0.030], personal accomplishment [F = 7.51, P < 0.001]), mindfulness (F = 8.83, P < 0.001) and wellbeing levels (F = 10.71, P < 0.001) from pre-intervention to 3 months later with small effect sizes. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study demonstrate that brief mindfulness training via innovative digital technology had a small positive effect in improving emergency staff stress, burnout, mindfulness and wellbeing.