Mindfulness training for healthcare professionals and trainees: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.