Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on healthcare professionals' mental health
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16078945 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16078945 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | 023.007.051 |
| Sponsor | Occupation & Health Research Group, HAN University of Applied Sciences |
| Funder | Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek |
- Submission date
- 01/10/2019
- Registration date
- 04/10/2019
- Last edited
- 02/10/2019
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Working in healthcare is particularly stressful, which is reflected in the fact that 61% of European healthcare professionals experience work-related stress. In comparison with other categories of workers, healthcare professionals are more likely to indicate that workload/working hours (77%), unacceptable behavior such as mobbing and coercion (64%), and lack of support from colleagues or superiors to fulfill their role (61%) are causes of work-related stress.
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of MBSR training on both positive and negative symptom-focused mental health outcomes among a small group of healthcare professionals (N = 30) at a specialized hospital
Who can participate?
Healthcare professionals working in the trial participating centre
What does the study involve?
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training: eight 2.5-hour weekly sessions and one 7-hour day of silence
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
MBSR can benefit the mental health of different groups of healthcare professionals in various ways (e.g., decreasing stress levels, burnout and anxiety, increasing personal well-being and self-compassion, enhancing presence when relating to others, compassion, and a sense of shared humanity).
There is little evidence about the potential harmful effects of MBSR. But caution is needed for example with (sexual) trauma or psychotic symptoms!
Where is the study run from?
Occupation & Health Research Group, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2011 to November 2011
Who is funding the study?
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO; Dutch Organization for Scientific Research)
Who is the main contact?
Math Janssen
math.janssen@han.nl
Dr Yvonne Heerkens
yvonne.heerkens@han.nl
Contact information
Scientific
6503 GL
Nijmegen
Box 6960
Netherlands
| Phone | +31 (0)6 578 85 136 |
|---|---|
| math.janssen@han.nl |
Scientific
6503 GL
Nijmegen
Box 6960
Netherlands
| Phone | +31 (0)6 121 83 621 |
|---|---|
| yvonne.heerkens@han.nl |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Non-randomized pre-post intervention study |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | An empirical study on short-term effects of mindfulness training on mental health and work-related perceptions of healthcare professionals in a specialized hospital: a pilot study |
| Study objectives | What are short-term effects of mindfulness training on the mental health and work-related perceptions of healthcare professionals in a specialized hospital? |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 09/12/2015, The Ethical Advisory Committee for Applied research of the HAN University of Applied Sciences (Campus Nijmegen, Kapittelweg 33, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; +31 (0)6 55 43 42 84; commissiemensgebondenonderzoek@radboudumc.nl), ref: ACPO 07.12/15 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Mental health |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training: eight 2.5-hour weekly sessions and one 7-hour day of silence The MBSR training took place in the hospital. Two experienced mindfulness trainers delivered the MBSR program. Both trainers meet the advanced criteria of the Center for Mindfulness of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (https://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/) and maintain regular personal meditation practices. The MBSR training used is primarily based on the MBSR program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. The program consists of eight 2.5-hour weekly group sessions and one 7-hour day of silence. A very important part of the training is the homework: 45 minutes of daily practice at home, six days per week, with the support of guided CDs and a customized workbook. MBSR is structured and includes: - guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices (body scan, sitting meditation) - simple movement exercises - a short group discussion - informal meditation exercises: paying full attention to daily activities (e.g., brushing one’s teeth, eating) |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Mindfulness skills measured using the Dutch version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-NL) at one week prior to the start of the intervention and immediately after the eight-week MBSR intervention period |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Measured one week prior to the start of the intervention and immediately after the eight-week MBSR intervention period: |
| Completion date | 25/04/2012 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Health professional |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 30 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Healthcare professional in this specialized hospital 2. Having worked there for at least two years, three days per week |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Attended mindfulness training over the past two years 2. Followed a stress reduction course, such as relaxation training or cognitive behavioral therapy, over the past two years |
| Date of first enrolment | 15/09/2011 |
| Date of final enrolment | 20/11/2011 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Netherlands
Study participating centre
Nijmegen
BOX 6960
Netherlands
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Data cannot be shared publicly because the population size is less than 100, the data (for example by age or gender) are possibly traceable to concrete individuals, and the respondents gave no formal consent to share the data publicly. Data are available from the Occupation & Health Research Group, HAN University of Applied Sciences Nijmegen (contact via Math Janssen and Yvonne Heerkens) for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data. The dataset consists of SPSS data file, SPSS syntax, codebook and questionnaire in Dutch. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
02/10/2019: Trial’s existence confirmed by Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research)
