The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Occupational Stress Among In-patient Adult Oncology Nurses

Background: Continuous exposure to oncology patients who are dying and have complex care needs is associated with occupational stress in oncology nurses. Mindfulness-based interventions are recommended for the prevention and management of stress.
Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the short-term effects of a condensed mindfulness-based intervention on occupational stress among inpatient adult oncology nurses.
Methods: A convenience sample of oncology nurses were recruited from a central Virginia academic medical center’s adult in-patient units. Participants received a mindfulness-based intervention, once weekly, during 20-minute sessions over four weeks, to determine the short-term effect on occupational stress and mindfulness awareness. Non-parametric analyses were performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for perceived stress and mindfulness attention awareness scales.
Findings: Perceived stress scores revealed a significant mean overall decrease from pre to post-intervention (30.73 ± 4.448, 22.4 ± 4.42; Z = -3.413, p = .001). The scores for mindfulness awareness revealed a significant mean overall increase from pre to post-intervention (3.37 ± .454, 4.23 ± .624; Z = -3.409, p = .001).
Conclusion: Mindfulness-based interventions that are practiced onsite may assist with reducing stress among oncology nurses, even in a condensed format. Future studies that address long-term outcomes are needed.