Volume 34, Issue 2 pp. 176-185

Original Research

Effects of mobile mindfulness on emergency department work stress: A randomised controlled trial

Hui (Grace) Xu,

Corresponding Author

Hui (Grace) Xu

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-3421-4176

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth Jubilee II Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Correspondence: Mrs Hui (Grace) Xu, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Level 3, Chamberlain Building (35), St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. Email: [email protected]

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Robert Eley,

Robert Eley

orcid.org/0000-0003-0856-4313

Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Southside Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Kathryn Kynoch,

Kathryn Kynoch

Clinical Governance Unit and the Queensland Centre for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery: a Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence, Mater Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Anthony Tuckett,

Anthony Tuckett

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

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Hui (Grace) Xu,

Corresponding Author

Hui (Grace) Xu

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-3421-4176

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth Jubilee II Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

Robert Eley,

Robert Eley

orcid.org/0000-0003-0856-4313

Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Southside Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

Kathryn Kynoch,

Kathryn Kynoch

Clinical Governance Unit and the Queensland Centre for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery: a Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence, Mater Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Anthony Tuckett,

Anthony Tuckett

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

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First published: 10 August 2021

https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.13836

Citations: 3

Hui (Grace) Xu, MN, PhD Candidate, Nurse Practitioner; Robert Eley, PhD, Academic Research Manager; Kathryn Kynoch, PhD, State-wide Knowledge Translation Manager; Anthony Tuckett, PhD, Director Learning and Teaching.

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Abstract

Objective

High-occupational stress among ED staff has a detrimental impact on both staff wellness and patient care. The objective of the study is to determine whether 4 weeks of smartphone app-guided mindfulness practice reduces stress levels of ED staff.

Methods

This two-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted in two Australian EDs in 2019–2020. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either an App group or a Wait to Treat group to practice daily 10 min app-guided mindfulness for 4 weeks. Online surveys were collected for both groups at three time periods: before (T1), immediately after (T2) and 3 months after cessation (T3). Then the Wait to Treat group received the same intervention, followed by surveys immediately after the intervention (T4) and 3 months later (T5). Primary outcome was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. Secondary outcomes were measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis were performed. Repeated measurement data were analysed by the linear mixed model.

Results

Of 148 enrolled participants 98 completed all the surveys, but only half (48%) reported continuous use of the app. Based on the results of the intention-to-treat analysis, there was a statistically significant improvement of perceived stress levels (F = 15.70, P < 0.001), all three components of burnout (emotional exhaustion [F = 14.22, P < 0.001], depersonalisation [F = 3.62, P = 0.030], personal accomplishment [F = 7.51, P < 0.001]), mindfulness (F = 8.83, P < 0.001) and wellbeing levels (F = 10.71, P < 0.001) from pre-intervention to 3 months later with small effect sizes.

Conclusion

Results of the present study demonstrate that brief mindfulness training via innovative digital technology had a small positive effect in improving emergency staff stress, burnout, mindfulness and wellbeing.

Open Research

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Supporting Information

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Citing Literature

Volume34, Issue2

April 2022

Pages 176-185

Effects of mobile mindfulness on emergency department work stress: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Open Research

Data availability statement

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Effects of mobile mindfulness on emergency department work stress: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Open Research

Data availability statement

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

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