Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Workplace-Adapted Mindfulness-Based Programme to Reduce Stress in Workers at a Private Sector Logistics Company: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study.

Jesus Montero-Marin,Willem Kuyken,Rosa Esteban,Virginia Gasión,Ana Manrique,Javier García Campayo,Lynda Rojas,Alberto Barceló-Soler

doi:10.3390/ijerph17051643

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of stress in the logistics sector owing to very demanding, fast-paced and unpredictable tasks. Mindfulness-based programmes may reduce stress but require considerable practice. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a shortened, workplace-adapted mindfulness-based programme for the logistics sector (WA-MBP-LS) for the purpose of reducing stress. A nonblinded, nonrandomised, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. The WA-MBP-LS (n = 32) consisted of six weekly 90-min mindfulness sessions. The control group (n = 36) attended a psycho-educational seminar. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) were measured at pretest, posttest and 6-month follow-up. Differences between groups were evaluated using mixed-effects models. Qualitative methods were used to analyse implementation issues. A 64.2% reduction was observed between initial volunteers and actual participants. Attrition at six-month follow-up was 45.6%. Participants attended a median of five sessions. Decreases in PSS favoured the WA-MBP-LS group at posttest and follow-up. FFMQ played a mediating role in PSS reductions. Barriers were disinterest, lack of programming, work overload and absences from work. Facilitators were curiosity, timing, company facilities and audio recordings. The WA-MBP-LS was feasible and effective in reducing stress, but more efforts to improve the practicalities of implementation are desirable.

Highlights

The intensification of the conditions imposed in the context of globalization by the dominant economic paradigm, including processes such as the rationalization and control of production and distribution of goods and services by the implementation of technological and bureaucratic systems, has resulted in important transformations in the structure of modern workplaces [1]
68 subjects were included in the study (35.8% of the initial volunteers), 32 of whom went on to the WA-Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs)-LS arm and 36 of whom formed the control group attending a psycho-educational seminar
We found that employee volunteers who participated in the WA-MBP-LS experienced moderate reductions in perceived stress after receiving the intervention, compared to controls who attended a brief psycho-educational seminar, with six-month sustainability and large effects at follow-up

Summary

Introduction

The intensification of the conditions imposed in the context of globalization by the dominant economic paradigm, including processes such as the rationalization and control of production and distribution of goods and services by the implementation of technological and bureaucratic systems, has resulted in important transformations in the structure of modern workplaces [1]. Public Health 2020, 17, 1643; doi:10.3390/ijerph17051643 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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