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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Sep 28;18(19):10230.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph181910230.

Effectiveness of a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Standard Training Program versus an Abbreviated Training Program on Stress in Tutors and Resident Intern Specialists of Family and Community Medicine and Nursing in Spain

Juan Carlos Verdes-Montenegro-Atalaya  1 , Luis Ángel Pérula-de Torres  2 , Norberto Lietor-Villajos  3 , Cruz Bartolomé-Moreno  4 , Herminia Moreno-Martos  5 , Luis Alberto Rodríguez  6 , Teresa Grande-Grande  1 , Rocío Pardo-Hernández  7 , Benito León-Del-Barco  8 , Mirian Santamaría-Peláez  7 , Luis A Mínguez  9 , Josefa González-Santos  7 , Raúl Soto-Cámara  7 , Jerónimo J González-Bernal  7 , On Behalf Of The Minduudd Collaborative Study Group
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Standard Training Program versus an Abbreviated Training Program on Stress in Tutors and Resident Intern Specialists of Family and Community Medicine and Nursing in Spain

Juan Carlos Verdes-Montenegro-Atalaya et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Stress is one of the most common problems among healthcare professionals, as they are exposed to potentially stressful and emotionally challenging situations in the workplace. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training programs have been shown to decrease stress. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an abbreviated 4-weeks MBSR training program in relation to a standard 8-weeks one on the stress levels. A controlled and randomized clinical trial was designed, in which 112 tutors and resident intern specialists in Family and Community Medicine and Nursing of six Spanish National Health System teaching units (TUs) participated. Participants included in the experimental groups (EGs) received a MBRS training program (standard or abbreviated), while control group (CG) participants did not receive any intervention. The stress levels were assessed by the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in three different moments during the study: before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Adjusted covariance analysis (ANCOVA), using pretest scores as the covariate, showed a significant reduction in stress (F(2,91) = 5.165; p = 0.008; η2 = 0.102) in the post-test visit, attributable to the implementation of the standard training program, but without the maintenance of its effects over time. No significant impact of the abbreviated training program on stress levels was observed in the intergroup comparison. A standard 8-weeks MBSR training program aimed at tutors and resident intern specialists in Family and Community Medicine and Nursing produces significant improvements in stress levels compared with the abbreviated intervention and no intervention. New studies about abbreviated training programs are needed to provide effective treatments which improve well-being of these professionals.

Keywords: MBSR; PSQ; mindfulness; primary care; resident intern specialists; stress; tutors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow-chart of the cluster-randomized trial and intervention procedure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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