Effectiveness of Mindfulness Intervention to Reduce Burnout  in Intensive Care Nurses  : A Systematic Review

Luh Putu Sukmayanti; Nursalam Nursalam; Makhfudli Makhfudli

doi:10.26714/mki.8.2.2025.145-158

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Intervention to Reduce Burnout in Intensive Care Nurses : A Systematic Review

Luh Putu Sukmayanti^(1*), Nursalam Nursalam⁽²⁾, Makhfudli Makhfudli⁽³⁾

(1) Universitas Airlangga
(2) Universitas Airlangga
(3) Universitas Airlangga
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

Nurses need proper self-management to deal with emotions caused by burnout. One of the meditations that nurses can do is focus attention or mindfulness. Mindfulness is a form of self-regulation strategy that involves focusing attention, responding to thoughts, sensations, and emotions with an attitude of acceptance, without judgment, and being aware of current situations and events. This study aimed to examine a mindfulness intervention that can reduce burnout in intensive care nurses. Design study: a systematic review. The sample used was intensive care nurses, and the variables are mindfulness intervention and burnout. Mindfulness-based interventions (yoga or meditation, music therapy, cognitive relaxation, breathing relaxation, and stress management). We searched using four databases published through February 2024. A total of 15 RCT and quasi-experimental studies were included in the final analysis. Mindfulness-based interventions (yoga or meditation, music therapy, cognitive relaxation, breathing relaxation, and stress management). Effective mindfulness programs are generally carried out for 12-8 weeks with weekly meetings for 2 hours and intensive training between meetings. Overall, the modalities appeared to alleviate and reduce burnout (p<0.001). Mindfulness-based interventions appear to alleviate and can reduce burnout in intensive care nurses. Future studies look at mindfulness-based interventions among nurses using more rigorous approaches and larger samples.

Keywords

burnout; nurses; social support

Full Text:

PDF

References

Sultana, A. Sharma, R. Hossain, M. Bhattacharya, S., & Purohit N. Burnout among healthcare providers during COVID-19: Challenges and evidence-based interventions. Indian Journal of Medical 2020:1–4.

Maslach, C., Leiter, M. P., & Schaufeli W. Job Burnout. Anward Review of Psychology. 2001;52(1).:397–422.

Palvimo T, Vauhkonen A, Hult M. The Associations among Destructive Leadership, Job Demands and Resources, and Burnout among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Journal of Nursing Management 2023;2023. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4289450.

Guixia, L., & Hui Z. A Study on Burnout of Nurses in the Period of COVID-19. 2020;9(3):31–6.

Landa, J. M. A., & Lopez-Zafra E. The impact of emotional intelligence on nursing: An overview. Psychology 2010;1(1):50–8.

Hu D, Kong Y, Li W, Han Q, Zhang X, Zhu LX, et al. Frontline nurses’ burnout, anxiety, depression, and fear statuses and their associated factors during the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China: A large-scale cross-sectional study. EClinicalMedicine 2020;24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100424.

Xie C, Zeng Y, Lv Y, Li X, Xiao J, Hu X. Educational intervention versus mindfulness-based intervention for ICU nurses with occupational burnout: A parallel, controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2020;52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102485.

Azzam HM, Na’imah T, Wulandari DA, Herdian H. Mindfulness dan Workplace Well-being Untuk Mengurangi Burnout pada Perawat. Psychocentrum Review 2023;5:97–107. https://doi.org/10.26539/pcr.521206.

Xiang-Zi J, Jia-yuan Z. Mindfulness exercises reduce death anxiety and burnout in intensive care nurses. Death Stud 2023;47:600–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2022.2113480.

Gracia Gozalo RM, Ferrer Tarrés JM, Ayora Ayora A, Alonso Herrero M, Amutio Kareaga A, Ferrer Roca R. Application of a mindfulness program among healthcare professionals in an intensive care unit: Effect on burnout, empathy and self-compassion. Medicina Intensiva (English Edition) 2019;43:207–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medine.2019.03.006.

Lu F, Xu Y, Yu Y, Zhao R, Peng L, Liu B, et al. Long-term effects of a tailored mindfulness-based program for Chinese intensive care unit nurses: A randomized parallel-group trial. Nurse Educ Pract 2023;70:103640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103640.

Mealer M, Boeldt D, Cochran K, Hodapp R, Forster J, Conrad D, et al. A Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Intervention to Improve Resilience and Mitigate Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome in Critical Care Nurses: Results of a Randomized Trial. Open J Nurs 2021;11:653–67. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojn.2021.118055.

Othman SY, Hassan NI, Mohamed AM. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on burnout and self-compassion among critical care nurses caring for patients with COVID-19: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Nurs 2023;22:1–14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01466-8.

Ozgundondu B, Gok Metin Z. Effects of progressive muscle relaxation combined with music on stress, fatigue, and coping styles among intensive care nurses. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2019;54:54–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2019.07.007.

Urso C, Laserna A, Feng L, Agnite A, Jawe N, Magoun C, et al. Mindfulness as an Antidote to Burnout for Nursing and Support Staff in an Oncological Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study. Holist Nurs Pract 2022;36:E38–47. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000544.

Renholm M. The effects of mindfulness training for emergency department and intermediate care unit nurses 2024;76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151770.

Schonfeld S, Rathmer I, Michaelsen MM, Hoetger C, Onescheit M, Lange S, et al. Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention Comprising an App, Web-Based Workshops, and a Workbook on Perceived Stress Among Nurses and Nursing Trainees: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022;11. https://doi.org/10.2196/37195.

Hilcove K, Marceau C, Thekdi P, Larkey L, Brewer MA, Jones K. Holistic Nursing in Practice: Mindfulness-Based Yoga as an Intervention to Manage Stress and Burnout. J Holist Nurs 2021;39:29–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010120921587.

Faramarzi S, Dehghani A, Hojat M. Comparison of the Effect of Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on Nurses’ Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences 2024;11:1–8. https://doi.org/10.5812/jnms-142568.

Abbasalizadeh M, Farsi Z, Sajadi SA, Atashi A, Fournier A. The effect of resilience training with mHealth application based on micro-learning method on the stress and anxiety of nurses working in intensive care units: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Med Educ 2024;24:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05427-w.

Bodini L, Bonetto C, Cheli S, Del Piccolo L, Rimondini M, Rossi A, et al. Effectiveness of a Mindful Compassion Care Program in reducing burnout and psychological distress amongst frontline hospital nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2022;23:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06666-2.

Ghawadra SF, Lim Abdullah K, Choo WY, Danaee M, Phang CK. The effect of mindfulness-based training on stress, anxiety, depression and job satisfaction among ward nurses: A randomized control trial. J Nurs Manag 2020;28:1088–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13049.

Pratt EH, Hall L, Jennings C, Olsen MK, Jan A, Parish A, et al. Mobile Mindfulness for Psychological Distress and Burnout among Frontline COVID-19 Nurses: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Annals of the American Thoracic Society 2023;20:1475–82. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202301-025OC.

Pérez V, Menéndez-Crispín EJ, Sarabia-Cobo C, de Lorena P, Fernández-Rodríguez A, González-Vaca J. Mindfulness-Based Intervention for the Reduction of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Nurse Caregivers of Institutionalized Older Persons with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022;19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811441.

Saban M, Dagan E, Drach-zahavy A. The Effects Of A Novel Mindfulness - Mindfulness And Patient Satisfaction In The Effects Of A Novel Mindfulness - Based. Journal of Emergency Nursing 2021;47:412–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2020.09.009.