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Mindfulness training for healthcare professionals and trainees: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Journal of psychosomatic research
May 1, 2019
Christina Spinelli et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to quantify the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on distress, well-being, physical health, and performance in healthcare professionals (HCPs) and HCPs-in-training.

Results Summary

MBIs showed significant moderate effects on anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and stress, with small to moderate effects on burnout and well-being. No significant effects were found for physical health and performance.

Population

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) and HCPs-in-training (75.88% female).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
anxiety
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.47
had a significant moderate effect
#1
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
depression
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.41
had a significant moderate effect
#2
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
psychological distress
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.46
had a significant moderate effect
#3
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
stress
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.52
had a significant moderate effect
#4
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
burnout
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.26
Small to moderate effects were also found
#5
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
increase
well-being
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.32
Small to moderate effects were also found
#6
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
no change
physical health
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
no significant change
Effects were not significant
#7
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
no change
performance
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
no significant change
Effects were not significant
#8
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
overall outcomes
HCPs
Hedge's g = 0.52
Larger intervention effects on overall outcomes were found
#9
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction intervention
decrease
overall outcomes
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.47
Larger intervention effects on overall outcomes were found
#10
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
overall outcomes
HCPs and HCPs-in-training
Hedge's g = 0.36
Larger intervention effects on overall outcomes were found
#11
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that can affect quality of patient care. Previous meta-analyses exploring mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for HCPs have been limited by their narrow scope regarding intervention type, target population, and/or measures, and reliance on uncontrolled studies; therefore, a more comprehensive and methodologically rigorous examination is warranted. This meta-analysis quantified the effectiveness of MBIs on distress, well-being, physical health, and performance in HCPs and HCPs-in-training. METHOD: RCTs examining the effect of meditation and MBIs on HCPs and HCPs-in-training were identified and reviewed. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies were included in the analyses (n = 2505; 75.88% female). Intervention had a significant moderate effect on anxiety (Hedge's g = 0.47), depression (Hedge's g = 0.41), psychological distress (Hedge's g = 0.46), and stress (Hedge's g = 0.52). Small to moderate effects were also found for burnout (Hedge's g = 0.26) and well-being at post-intervention (Hedge's g = 0.32). Effects were not significant for physical health and performance. Larger intervention effects on overall outcomes were found with HCPs (Hedge's g = 0.52), with Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction intervention (Hedge's g = 0.47), and inactive controls (Hedge's g = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing distress and improving well-being in HCPs and HCP-ITs. Subgroup analyses suggest the importance of exploring potential participants' needs prior to selecting the type of mindfulness intervention. Future studies should assess changes in mindfulness and include active controls.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Health PersonnelHumansMindfulnessRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicStress, Psychological
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations77
Citations/Year12.8
Relative Citation Ratio6.15
NIH Percentile95%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.60
Normalized Score0.67
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