Bowling Green

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a new intervention called Eastern Principles Acceptance and Commitment Therapy EPACT compared to a traditional Western-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT and a no-treatment control group. The study focuses on nurses and nursing aides working in long-term care settings in the USA and Thailand, addressing work-related injuries, stress, burnout, wellbeing, musculoskeletal symptoms, and time off due to injury. High frequency heart rate variability HF-HRV will also be studied to predict how participants respond to these interventions. The EPACT intervention includes group sessions with 5 to 10 participants, consisting of two 2.5-hour meetings spaced one week apart and incorporates Eastern mindfulness principles such as acceptance of suffering and self-compassion. The traditional ACT intervention also has two 2.5-hour group sessions but does not include these Eastern elements. The control group receives no treatment but completes assessments at the same times as the other groups. In the USA, participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups, while in Thailand, participants will be assigned to either EPACT or control groups with the same procedures and outcome measures. Participants will complete assessments including questionnaires on work stress, injuries, burnout, compassion, and mindfulness at baseline, one month, and three months after the intervention. Heart rate variability will be measured at baseline. Follow-up surveys will be conducted online, and the study will monitor psychological and physical outcomes to assess intervention effectiveness and feasibility across different cultures. Total participation involves baseline assessment, intervention sessions for treatment groups, and follow-up surveys over three months.