Holistic Nursing in Practice: Mindfulness-Based Yoga as an Intervention to Manage Stress and Burnout

Abstract

Purpose: Effects of a mindfulness-based (MB) yoga practice on stress, burnout, and indicators of well-being among nurses and health care professionals (HCPs).

Design: A randomized controlled trial, 80 HCPs assigned to either MB yoga intervention or control group.

Method: The MB yoga intervention group (n = 41) attended weekly yoga classes and practiced yoga independently. The control group (n = 39) did not receive the yoga intervention. Study participants completed pre- and postintervention questionnaires, instruments included (a) Perceived Stress Scale; (b) Maslach Burnout Inventory; (c) Vitality subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36; (d) Global Sleep Quality item, (e) Mindfulness Awareness Survey, and (f) subscale of the Brief Serenity Scale. Diurnal salivary cortisol and blood pressure were assessed pre and postintervention.

Results: Significant improvements (p < .01) noted in MB yoga compared with control for self-reported factors, including stress (Perceived Stress Scale), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), vitality (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36), sleep (GSQ), serenity/inner haven (IH), and mindfulness (Mindfulness Awareness Survey). Diurnal cortisol slopes and blood pressure were not significantly improved.

Conclusion: The MB yoga intervention had a statistically significant effect on the health and well-being of nurses and HCPs, most specifically for measures of stress; perceived stress, burnout, vitality, sleep quality, serenity, and mindfulness.

Keywords: common themes; group/population; healing modalities; integrative/holistic; meditation/mindfulness; nurses (advanced practice); nurses (basic); stress and coping; stress management/relaxation; theories; yoga.