Effects of Breathing Meditation Training on Sustained Attention Level, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Level, and Mental State of Operating Room Nurses

Breathing meditation training improved sustained attention, mindfulness awareness, and mental state while reducing fatigue and work stress among operating room nurses. In a randomized trial with 40 nurses, those who added breathing meditation to routine training showed faster sustained attention response times at 8:00 and 18:00, lower physical and mental fatigue scores, higher mindfulness attention awareness scores, lower anxiety and depression scores, lower work stress, and higher career satisfaction and happiness compared to the control group.

Study at a glance

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In this paper, we explore the effects of breathing meditation training on the sustained attention level, mindfulness attention awareness level, and mental state of nurses in the operating room. METHODS: We enrolled 40 nurses from September 2019 to December 2019, and divided them into a control group (N=20) and an observation group (N=20) using a random number table. The control group received routine training, based on which the observation group received breathing meditation training. We compared their sustained attention index, fatigue score, mindfulness attention awareness score, mental state score, work stress score, career satisfaction score, and career happiness index. RESULTS: After training, the sustained attention response time was shorter at 8:00 and 18:00 in the observation group than in the control group (p < .05). The physical fatigue score, mental fatigue score, reduced activity score, reduced motivation score, and overall fatigue score of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p < .05). The observation group had a higher mindfulness attention awareness score than did the control group (p < .05). The SAS and SDS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p < .05). The work stress score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, whereas the career satisfaction score and career happiness index were higher (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Breathing meditation training can improve the sustained attention level and mindfulness attention awareness level, reduce the feeling of fatigue and work stress, help adjust the mental state, and enhance the career satisfaction and career happiness of nurses in the operating room.