Mindfulness for Work Performance

Overseen By Nikki Sood, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Disqualifiers: Counseling roles

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for improving work performance?

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been shown to reduce psychological distress in cancer patients and decrease relapse rates in depression, suggesting it may help improve mental well-being and potentially enhance work performance. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is mindfulness-based therapy safe for humans?

Mindfulness-based therapies, like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), are generally considered safe for humans, though some studies suggest there may be potential adverse effects in certain conditions, such as bipolar disorder. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How is the treatment Mindfulness, Video different from other treatments for work performance?

Mindfulness, Video is unique because it uses mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to improve work performance by helping individuals manage stress and enhance their overall wellbeing, which is different from traditional treatments that may not focus on mental and emotional health in the workplace. ^{6 8 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research study is to understand the effect of a short mindfulness video on self perceived performance in the OR. Specifically, assessing the effectiveness of brief mindfulness intervention on physician focus, anxiety and perceived performance at the time of a procedure through a survey containing a modified flow state scale and modified applied mindfulness process scale

Research Team

Frances Casey, MD

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for practicing physicians or medical trainees who work in a hospital and perform surgeries in an operating room. It's not open to healthcare practitioners who are involved in counseling roles.

Inclusion Criteria

Practicing physicians or medical trainees

Employed in a hospital setting

My surgery will be in an operating room.

Exclusion Criteria

Practitioners involved in counseling roles

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants watch a short mindfulness video before performing procedures in the OR

Single session

1 visit (in-person)

Assessment

Participants complete surveys assessing perceived flow and mindfulness application after the procedure

Up to 5 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any additional feedback or long-term effects of the mindfulness intervention

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Mindfulness
• Video

Trial Overview The study tests the impact of watching a short mindfulness video on doctors' focus, anxiety, and self-assessed performance during surgery using surveys based on modified flow state and mindfulness scales.

Participant Groups

Group I: Mindfulness Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Mindfulness is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Mindfulness-Based Interventions for:

• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression

Approved in European Union as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for:

• Stress Management
• Anxiety Disorders
• Chronic Pain

Approved in Canada as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for:

• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Substance Abuse Treatment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Recruited

22,900,000+

Findings from Research

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is highly valued by participants, with many describing it as 'life changing,' but about one-third of graduates still experience depression relapse within a year after completing the course.

Participants expressed a strong desire for additional support after MBCT, suggesting that a maintenance program could help them sustain mindfulness practices and reduce the risk of relapse.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventing Depression Relapse: A Qualitative Study on the Need for Additional Structured Support Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Siwik, CJ., Adler, SR., Moran, PJ., et al.[2023]

Both group face-to-face mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and individual internet-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT) led to long-term reductions in psychological distress and increases in mental health-related quality of life over a nine-month follow-up period for 245 distressed cancer patients.

Patients who participated in eMBCT reported lower psychological distress compared to those in MBCT, particularly benefiting those with lower baseline mindfulness and conscientiousness, suggesting that eMBCT may be a more effective option for certain individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consolidation and prediction of long-term treatment effect of group and online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for distressed cancer patients. Cillessen, L., Schellekens, MPJ., Van de Ven, MOM., et al.[2019]

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly reduces the risk of relapse or recurrence of major depressive disorder (MDD) by 34%, based on a meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials involving 593 participants.

For patients with three or more previous episodes of MDD, MBCT offers a 43% reduction in relapse risk and is at least as effective as maintenance antidepressant medication, highlighting its potential as a valuable treatment option.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for prevention of relapse in recurrent major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Piet, J., Hougaard, E.[2022]

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective in reducing symptom severity in major depressive disorder and lowering relapse rates during maintenance treatment, based on a review of 52 studies.

MBIs, particularly mindfulness-based stress reduction, have shown effectiveness in improving symptoms and quality of life in veterans with PTSD, and they are considered safe and cost-effective adjuncts to standard care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety. Khusid, MA., Vythilingam, M.[2018]

Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients and survivors, with moderate effect sizes observed in both nonrandomized studies (0.60 for anxiety, 0.42 for depression) and randomized controlled trials (0.37 for anxiety, 0.44 for depression).

The systematic review included 22 studies with a total of 1,403 participants, indicating that while the quality of studies varied, there is promising evidence from higher-quality randomized controlled trials supporting the efficacy of MBT in improving mental health outcomes for cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on symptoms of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Piet, J., Würtzen, H., Zachariae, R.[2022]

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly reduces the rate of depression relapse by 40% in patients with three or more previous episodes of depression, based on a systematic review of 11 studies.

The evidence suggests that MBCT is effective for treating mental disorders, particularly in preventing relapse, although the overall methodological quality of the studies was moderate.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Galante, J., Iribarren, SJ., Pearce, PF.[2020]

In a study involving 144 patients with bipolar disorder undergoing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), adverse effects (AEs) were reported by 29 patients, with most occurring within the first three weeks and decreasing thereafter.

Despite the occurrence of AEs, most patients viewed them as part of a therapeutic process rather than harmful, indicating that while AEs are present, they are generally not serious and can be perceived positively in the context of treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse or therapeutic? A mixed-methods study investigating adverse effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in bipolar disorder. Hanssen, I., Scheepbouwer, V., Huijbers, M., et al.[2021]

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to improve mental health in 11 studies compared to waitlist controls or treatment as usual, demonstrating its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) effectively reduces the risk of depressive relapse, showing similar efficacy to treatment as usual in two studies, indicating its potential as a preventive measure for depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Fjorback, LO., Arendt, M., Ornbøl, E., et al.[2022]

Trainee clinical psychologists who participated in a modified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program showed significant improvements, including decreased rumination and increased self-compassion and mindfulness, based on pre- and post-questionnaires from 20 participants.

The study found that more frequent home practice of mindfulness techniques led to greater reductions in stress and anxiety, and 85% of participants reported that the MBCT experience positively impacted their clinical work, enhancing their understanding of clients and themselves.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for trainee clinical psychologists. Rimes, KA., Wingrove, J.[2019]

Mindfulness-based therapies, particularly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), have been shown to effectively improve psychological health, manage pain, and reduce anxiety symptoms.

MBCT is specifically recommended as an additional treatment for unipolar depression, highlighting its role in supporting mental health alongside traditional therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation practices as adjunctive treatments for psychiatric disorders. Marchand, WR.[2022]

In a study involving 144 middle-level managers, an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program significantly reduced perceived work-related stress, negative affect, and sickness absence compared to a control group.

MBSR also improved self-esteem and positive affect among participants, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing psychological resilience in stressful work environments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for managers: a randomized controlled study. Żołnierczyk-Zreda, D., Sanderson, M., Bedyńska, S.[2020]

The Integral Meditation program, implemented over 12 weeks with 42 employees, significantly improved mindfulness and psychological wellbeing, as evidenced by increased scores in emotional awareness, self-regulation, and reduced perceived stress.

Participants in the mindfulness-based intervention showed notable enhancements in self-compassion and reduced feelings of isolation, indicating that such programs can effectively support mental health in workplace settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation training in an occupational setting: Effects of a 12-weeks mindfulness-based intervention on wellbeing. Fazia, T., Bubbico, F., Berzuini, G., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventing Depression Relapse: A Qualitative Study on the Need for Additional Structured Support Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consolidation and prediction of long-term treatment effect of group and online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for distressed cancer patients. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for prevention of relapse in recurrent major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety. [2018]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on symptoms of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse or therapeutic? A mixed-methods study investigating adverse effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in bipolar disorder. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for trainee clinical psychologists. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation practices as adjunctive treatments for psychiatric disorders. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for managers: a randomized controlled study. [2020]

12. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation training in an occupational setting: Effects of a 12-weeks mindfulness-based intervention on wellbeing. [2022]