Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Feb 27;12(2):e0172455.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172455. eCollection 2017.

Stress, self-esteem and well-being among female health professionals: A randomized clinical trial on the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses

Eliseth Ribeiro Leão  1 , Daniela Reis Dal Fabbro  1 , Rebeca Barqueiro de Oliveira  1 , Ingrid Ribeiro Dos Santos  1 , Elivane da Silva Victor  1 , Rita Lacerda Aquarone  2 , Cristiane Benvenuto Andrade  1 , Vivian Finotti Ribeiro  3 , Roselaine Coelho de Oliveira  4 , Rosa Friedlander  5 , Daniela Santos Ferreira  5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Stress, self-esteem and well-being among female health professionals: A randomized clinical trial on the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses

Eliseth Ribeiro Leão et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Stress levels are evident among health professionals. However, there are few studies on sensory-based self-care aimed at stress management, self-esteem and subjective well-being in this group of professionals.

Objective: To assess the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses on the stress levels, self-esteem and well-being of health professionals in a hospital environment.

Methods: A total of 93 health professionals participated in an unblinded clinical trial, randomized into four groups: 1) control (no intervention); 2) Monosensory-daily body moisturizing (DBM) with odorless cream; 3) Bisensory-DBM with scented cream; 4) Multisensory-DBM with scented cream associated with audiovisual material. Participants answered specific questionnaires to assess stress, self-esteem and well-being and cortisol samples were collected at baseline, 15 and 30 days following intervention, and at the 30-day follow-up.

Results: Self-care was characterized as neglected, with most participants reporting inadequate hours of sleep (74%), irregular physical activity (68%), and inadequate nutrition (45%). Compared to the other groups, the Bisensory group had lower stress on all three assessments (p = 0.017; 0.012; 0.036), a life satisfaction 8% higher at follow-up than at baseline (95% CI: 2% to 15%, p = 0.016), a 10% increase in positive affect (95% CI: 2% to 19%, p = 0.011) and a 12% reduction in negative affect (95% CI: 3% to 21% less, p = 0.014) after 30 days. The Multisensory group showed improvement in self-esteem (p = 0.012) and reduced cortisol (p = 0.036) after 30 days of intervention. The control group showed no changes in the variables studied, except for cortisol: an increase at the 15-day evaluation (denoting higher risk for stress, p = 0.009) and a reduction at follow-up (p = 0.028), which was nevertheless within normal levels.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02406755.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: RF, DSF have been employees of Natura Cosméticos. ERL, DRDF, RBO, IRS, ESV, RLA, CB, VFR, and RCO have no competing interests. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Participation flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Blegen MA. Nurses’ job satisfaction: a meta-analysis of related variables. Nursing Research. 1993; 42:36–41. - PubMed
    1. Cooper CL, Dewe PJ, O`Driscoll MO. Organizational stress: a review and critique of theory, research, and applications. London: Sage; 2001.
    1. Borda RC, Norman IJ. Factors influencing turnover and absence of nurses: a research review. Int J Nurs Stud.1997; 34:385–94. - PubMed
    1. Cascio WF. Whiter industrial and organizational psychology in a changing world of work? Am Psychol. 1995; 50:928–39.
    1. Silva MCM, Gomes RS. Occupational stress in health professionals: a study with portuguese doctor’s and nurse practitioners.Psychol Studies. 2009; 14(3):239–48.

Publication types

Associated data