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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 Apr;57(4):393-9.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000371.

A small randomized pilot study of a workplace mindfulness-based intervention for surgical intensive care unit personnel: effects on salivary α-amylase levels

Anne-Marie Duchemin  1 , Beth A Steinberg, Donald R Marks, Kristin Vanover, Maryanna Klatt
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A small randomized pilot study of a workplace mindfulness-based intervention for surgical intensive care unit personnel: effects on salivary α-amylase levels

Anne-Marie Duchemin et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether a workplace stress-reduction intervention decreases reactivity to stress among personnel exposed to a highly stressful occupational environment.

Methods: Personnel from a surgical intensive care unit were randomized to a stress-reduction intervention or a waitlist control group. The 8-week group mindfulness-based intervention included mindfulness, gentle yoga, and music. Psychological and biological markers of stress were measured 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention.

Results: Levels of salivary α-amylase, an index of sympathetic activation, were significantly decreased between the first and second assessments in the intervention group with no changes in the control group. There was a positive correlation between salivary α-amylase levels and burnout scores.

Conclusions: These data suggest that this type of intervention could decrease not only reactivity to stress but also the risk of burnout.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Experimental Design and Study Flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Decrease in DASS-stress scores between baseline and 2-month assessments
DASS stress scores were measured at the same time in the intervention (MBI) and the waiting list (Control) group, one week before (Baseline) and one week after (2 month) the 8-week intervention.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Correlations between FFMQ non-reactivity and DASS stress, Maslach emotional exhaustion and ProQOL burnout scores
Pearson correlations were calculated between scores on the FFMQ non-reactivity subscale and the (A) DASS stress, (B) Maslach Inventory emotional exhaustion and (C) ProQOL burnout subscale scores.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Decrease in salivary α-amylase levels between baseline and 2-month assessments
Salivary α-amylase was measured using the enzyme substrate maltotriose linked to chromogenic 2-chloro-p-nitrophenol. Levels were measured at the same time in the intervention (MBI) and the waiting list (Control) group one week before (Baseline) and one week after (2 month) the 8-week intervention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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