title: Evaluation of a Meditation Intervention to Reduce the Effects of Stressors Associated With Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study evaluated whether short (less than 10 minutes) structured meditations decrease compassion fatigue and improve compassion satisfaction in oncology nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nonrandomized, pre-post intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants used specific meditations designed to establish a sense of calm, relaxation, and self-compassion 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Meditations were provided on an audio-CD after brief individual instruction. The Professional Quality of Life Survey, Version 5, was administered pre and post intervention along with supplementary questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen nurses participated in the study over a 6-month period in 2014. Paired t test revealed that the intervention demonstrated a statistically significant increase in Compassion Satisfaction scores (mean difference = -2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-4.98, -0.36], t[14] = -2.48, p = .027, d = 0.63) and decreases in Burnout (mean difference = 4.13, 95% CI = [1.66, 6.60], t[14] = 3.581, p = .003, d = 0.92) and Secondary Trauma (mean difference = 3.00, 95% CI = [0.40, 5.96], t[14] = 2.174, p = .047, d = 0.56) scores. All participants reported increased feelings of relaxation and well-being on supplemental questions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even in this small sample, the practice of short breathing and meditation exercises was effective in improving nurse outcomes. A larger study is warranted including tracking sustained effects relative to maintaining a meditation practice.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Diego Health System jhevezi@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hevezi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000068376:Compassion Fatigue / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019122:Meditation / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: compassion fatigue; nurses; stress and coping