Nurse leader mindfulness meditation program for stress management: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to rigorously evaluate a brief stress management intervention for nurse leaders.


BACKGROUND
Despite the nursing shortage, evidence-based workplace approaches addressing nurse stress have not been well studied.


METHODS
Nurse leaders (n = 33) were randomly assigned to brief mindfulness meditation course (MMC) or leadership course (control). Self-report measures of stress were administered at baseline and within 1 week of course completion.


RESULTS
Among MMC participants, change scores (from baseline to postintervention) on several subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised showed significantly more improvement in self-reported stress symptoms relative to controls. Mindfulness meditation course participants had significantly more improvement in Positive Symptom Distress Index (P = 0.010; confidence interval [CI] = -0.483 to -0.073) and Global Severity Index (P = 0.019; CI = -0.475 to -0.046) and nearly significantly more improvement in Positive Symptom Total (P = 0.066; CI = -16.66 to 0.581) compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Results support preliminary effectiveness of a 4-week MMC in reducing self-reported stress symptoms among nursing leaders.
Pipe
Teri Britt
TB
Department of Psychiatry/Psychology, Section of Biostatistics, Division of Nursing, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Hospital, 5777 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA. pipe.teri@mayo.edu
Bortz
Jennifer J
JJ
Dueck
Amylou
A
Pendergast
Debra
D
Buchda
Vicki
V
Summers
Jay
J
D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D019122:Meditation; D009726:Nurses; D016730:Program Development; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology