Comparison of two brief mindfulness interventions for anxiety, stress and burnout in mental health professionals: a randomised crossover trial.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Source: PubMed
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly reduce anxiety, stress, and burnout among mental health professionals. In a study with 104 participants in Havana, those who practiced mind-centred techniques followed by body-centred practices showed the most substantial improvements in reducing burnout antecedents. After both interventions, effect sizes were notably high, with benefits partially sustained at a 6-month follow-up. These findings suggest that combining both types of practices may offer the best approach to enhancing occupational health and mental well-being in this demanding field.
Abstract
Anxiety, stress and burnout are a growing reality among mental health professionals, impacting negatively on them and their clients. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating these sufferings. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge on the impact of MBIs in Cuba. To compare the effectiveness of two brief mindfulness-based interventions for reducing anxiety, work stress and burnout. A total of 104 mental health professionals from Havana (Cuba) participated in a randomised crossover trial. Group A received first an intervention involving body-centred practices (body scan and Hatha yoga) and a second intervention involving mind-centred practices (focused attention and open monitoring meditation). Group B received the same interventions but in reverse order. Four measures (anxiety, stress, burnout syndrome, and antecedents of burnout) were measured at baseline, posttest1, posttest2, and 6-months follow-up. After the first intervention, there was a between-group difference for burnout syndrome, but the ES was similar for both groups. After the second intervention (implementing both practises), groups showed the largest effect sizes, and there was a between-group difference for antecedents of burnout. Results were partially maintained at 6-month follow-up. These results suggest that mind-centred practises can be as effective as body-centred practises for stress, anxiety and burnout reduction. The combination of both types of practises could be the most effective way of teaching mindfulness. About the sequence of implementation, teaching mind-centred practises first and then body-centred practises could be most effective for reducing antecedents of burnout.Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03296254.