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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Effect of a brief mindfulness-based program on stress in healthcare professionals at a U.S. biomedical research hospital (Ameli et al., 2020)

Review Guidelines

Causal Evidence Guidelines

Absence of conflict of interest.

Citation

Ameli, R., Sinaii, N., West, C. P., Luna, M. J., Panahi, S, Soosman, M., Rusch, H. L., & Berger, A. (2020). Effect of a brief mindfulness-based program on stress in healthcare professionals at a U.S. biomedical research hospital. JAMA Open Network 3(8), e2013424-e2013424. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13424

Highlights

  • The study’s objective was to examine the impact of a brief mindfulness-based self-care (MBSC) program on health outcomes among health care workers. 
  • The study used a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of the MBSC program among full-time healthcare professionals. Using data from evaluation surveys, study authors conducted statistical tests to compare differences in health outcomes between the treatment and control groups.  
  • The study found significant reductions in stress and anxiety, as well as improved mood, awareness of surroundings, and self-care for those in the MBSC treatment group when compared to the control group. 
  • This study receives a high causal evidence rating. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to the MBSC program, and not to other factors.  

Intervention Examined

Mindfulness-based self-care (MBSC)

Features of the Study

The mindfulness-based self-care (MBSC) program targeted full-time health care professionals at the Clinical Center at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Participation was open to all NIH employees, contractors, trainees, and participants. The MBSC program included five weekly, 1.5-hour in-class mindfulness practice sessions.  

The study used a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of the MBSC program on healthcare professionals. The study included 82 individuals employed at NIH Clinical Center campus who were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 45 participants were assigned to the MBSC group and 37 participants were assigned to the control group that did not receive any mindfulness training. Using survey data collected at baseline and at the end of the 5-week course, the authors conducted statistical tests to compare the outcomes of MBSC participants to control group participants. Outcomes included stress, anxiety, burnout, mood changes, ability to be present, and self-care.  

Findings

Health and Safety  

  • At the end of the course, the study found that MSBC participants had significantly lower stress and anxiety and significantly higher positive affect, state mindfulness, and mindful self-care compared to control group participants. 
  • However, the study found no significant differences in burnout, negative affect, and trait mindfulness between the MSBC and control groups.  

Causal Evidence Rating

The quality of causal evidence presented in this report is high because it was based on a well-implemented randomized controlled trial. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to the MBSC program, and not to other factors.  

Reviewed by CLEAR

May 2024