Mindful Life-Well at Work
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) v. Stress-Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP) for the improvement of mental wellbeing in healthcare, social care and teaching professionals
IRAS ID
319606
Contact name
Elena Nixon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation, University of Nottingham
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN18049845
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Why the research is needed?
Healthcare and other public care staff are at risk of developing high levels of stress and poor mental health which have also been associated with poor outcomes for the wider organisations staff work for.
What is already known about the topic?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Stress Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP) interventions for reducing stress and improving staff wellbeing. SRP uses relaxation techniques to combat the negative consequences of stress. Mindfulness-based approaches combine mindfulness with relaxation, as well as cognitive-behavioural therapy elements in the version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy-for Life (MBCT-L). MBCT-L develops one’s ability to view stress in a positive as well as negative light, promoting a more positive long-term outlook to life. While SRP is being offered widely as standard care to staff across all regions in England, MBCT-L is a newer approach widely implemented across health/public care organisations in East Midlands, and in a limited number of other regions across the UK.
What we will do?
We will run a trial to assess whether MBCT-L is superior to SRP in terms of effectiveness. We will recruit 208 staff working in healthcare, social care and teaching sectors through Integrated Care/Wellbeing Hubs across 4 UK public care sites. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a 8 week MBCT-L or a standard usual care 4-week SRP programme. The trial will look at the effects of the two interventions primarily on staff stress at baseline (prior to starting the intervention) and at 20 weeks post randomisation; and secondarily on other mental health aspects too as well as work-related aspects. A subsample of 30 participants will also be interviewed at 20 weeks post randomisation to acquire in-depth data on perceived impacts as well as barriers and facilitators to uptake.
Lay Summary of Results
People who work in healthcare and other public care roles often experience high levels of stress because their jobs are demanding and emotionally challenging. Ongoing stress can harm their mental health, affect how well organisations function, and reduce the quality of care provided to patients. Because of this, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends stress-reduction programmes, including mindfulness-based approaches, to support staff wellbeing.
Stress Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP) uses relaxation and education techniques to help people manage stress. A newer approach, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L), combines mindfulness, relaxation, and elements of cognitive behavioural therapy. MBCT-L aims to help people relate to stress in a more balanced way and develop a more positive long-term outlook. While SRP is widely available across England, MBCT-L is currently offered mainly in the East Midlands and a few other regions.
This study aimed to compare how effective and cost-effective an 8-week online MBCT-L programme was compared with a 4-week online SRP programme in reducing stress and improving mental health and work-related outcomes.
The study involved 251 working adults from 13 NHS trusts across three regions of England. Participants were randomly assigned to either the MBCT-L programme or the SRP programme. Stress levels were measured using a standard questionnaire at the start of the study and again 20 weeks later.
Most participants were women, with an average age of 44 years. At the 20-week follow-up, people who took part in the MBCT-L programme showed a much larger reduction in stress levels compared with those who took part in the SRP programme. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant, meaning it was unlikely to be due to chance.
In conclusion, the study found that MBCT-L was more effective than SRP at reducing stress among healthcare and public care staff 20 weeks after starting the programme. This suggests that MBCT-L may offer greater long-term benefits for staff wellbeing.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0109
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion