The Effectiveness of a Stress Reduction and Burnout Prevention Program

Summary & key facts

This randomized trial tested a 3‑week outpatient program that combined stress‑management training, relaxation, physical exercise and moor baths for people with above‑average stress. Compared with a waiting list group, people who did the program had large and statistically significant reductions in perceived stress and in burnout-related symptoms (including emotional exhaustion). Improvements were strongest right after the program, fell somewhat over the first three months, and then stayed about the same up to six months. The study was done at one center with 109 people randomized (88 included in the main per‑protocol analysis), so longer and multi‑site studies are needed to confirm how long

Key facts:

• 109 people were randomized; 88 completed the per‑protocol analysis (intervention group n=43; waiting control group n=45).
• The primary outcome was perceived stress (PSQ) at 6 months. In the intention‑to‑treat analysis (n=109) the between‑group difference in PSQ at 6 months was −20.57 (95% CI: −26.09 to −15.04).
• Effect sizes for the PSQ were large (Cohen's d range 1.09–1.72), indicating a strong difference in perceived stress between groups.
• The program lasted three weeks and included stress‑management intervention, relaxation techniques, physical exercise, and moor applications. Measurements were taken at baseline, post‑intervention (3 weeks), and at 1, 3 and 6 months.
• Participants were on average 50.85 years old and 76.1% were female in the analyzed sample.
• Participants in the intervention group showed significant immediate improvement on all measured outcomes (stress, burnout symptoms, well‑being, health status, psychological symptoms, back pain, and sick days). These gains decreased somewhat
• The waiting control group showed no substantial change over the same time period.
• The authors note limits including a single study center and only six months of follow‑up, and they recommend future research on long‑term effects and the value of refresher training.

Abstract

The program proved to be effective in reducing perceived stress, emotional exhaustion and other targets. Future research should examine the long-term impact of the program and the effect of occasional refresher training.

Topics

Health, psychology, and well-being Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

Categories

General Health Professions Health Professions Health Sciences

Tags

Burnout Clinical psychology Distress Environmental health Intervention (counseling) Medicine Physical therapy Population Psychiatry Randomized controlled trial Surgery