The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on Stress and Burnout of Nurses

Abstract

Nurses as a group of care providers are under increasing stress and burnout is common. Mindfulness-based interventions play a potential role in reducing stress and burnout. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on stress and burnout among nurses working in two selected hospitals in Karaj in 2015. This study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and a control group. Totally, 60 nurses were selected by convenience sampling and entered the study. The intervention was a course of mindfulness-based stress reduction training including mindfulness practice (body scan, mindfulness gestures, meditation of walk and sit and awareness of breathing), in addition, awareness of pleasant and unpleasant events and the use of mindfulness in daily routine activities. Standard questionnaires of job stress of Tufts and Gary Anderson and burnout of Maslach were completed before and after training by the subjects. The majority of nurses in both groups before the intervention, with a moderate level of stress, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>.05). Job stress and three aspects of burnout (emotional fatigue, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) of nurses after training to before training showed a significant reduction (p <0.001). M indfulness-based stress reduction training was associated with improvements in burnout and job stress scores.