Abstract
Background/ObjectiveHealthcare workers play a critical role in the health of a nation, yet rates of healthcare worker stress are disproportionately high. We evaluated whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life (MBCT-L), could reduce stress in healthcare workers and target a range of secondary outcomes. Method: This is the first parallel randomised controlled trial of MBCT-L. Participants were NHS workers, who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either MBCT-L or wait-list. The primary outcome was self-reported stress at post-intervention. Secondary variables were well-being, depression, anxiety, and work-related outcomes. Mixed regressions were used. Mindfulness and self/other-compassion were explored as potential mechanisms of effects on stress and wellbeing. Results: We assigned 234 participants to MBCT-L (n = 115) or to wait-list (n = 119). 168 (72%) participants completed the primary outcome and of those who started the MBCT-L 73.40% (n = 69) attended the majority of the sessions. MBCT-L ameliorated stress compared with controls (B = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.63‒3.56; d = -0.72; p < .0001). Effects were also found for well-being, depression and anxiety, but not for work-related outcomes. Mindfulness and self-compassion mediated effects on stress and wellbeing. Conclusions: MBCT-L could be an effective and acceptable part of a wider healthcare workers well-being and mental health strategy.
Highlights
Healthcare workers play a critical role in the health of a nation and their mental health and well-being is a pre-requisite for an effective, efficient and compassionate service
Our findings suggest that a new mindfulness curriculum designed for the general population (MBCT-L) can ameliorate stress, anxiety and depression in healthcare workers, enhance wellbeing, mindfulness and self-compassion and is acceptable and engaging
The effect size on our primary outcome was moderately large, and on our secondary outcome of wellbeing was large --- which is promising compared with other workplace interventions (Hall et al, 2016)
Summary
The study design and procedure are detailed in the published study protocol (Strauss et al, 2018). This study is one of two separate superiority RCTs for healthcare workers comparing (1) MBCT-L with WL and (2) CBT with WL --- with separate WLs for each study. The two studies were advertised together with participants able to choose their preferred study. This paper reports on the RCT comparing MBCT-L with WL
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
