Project FIERCE - Mindfulness-Based Meditation to Reduce Stress and Promote Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity in Healthcare Professionals

What this Trial Is About

Healthcare workers often face high levels of stress, depression, and burnout, which can negatively affect their health and patient care. This research aims to evaluate a mindfulness-based intervention inspired by the Buddhist Four Immeasurables practice to reduce perceived stress and improve well-being among 80 full-time healthcare employees. The study also examines effects on depressive symptoms, burnout, sleep quality, psychological well-being, and inflammation, along with underlying factors like compassion and mindfulness. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a six-week online mindfulness program called Building Emotional Strength Training (BEST) or a waitlist control group. The BEST program involves weekly one-hour live group sessions via Zoom focusing on loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Participants are encouraged to practice meditation daily at home, gradually increasing from five to twenty minutes. The control group will receive the intervention after data collection. Throughout the study, participants complete questionnaires and provide blood samples at baseline, mid-course (week 3), and post-intervention (week 6) to assess stress levels and other outcomes. Blood samples are self-collected at home using a simple device. The study measures changes in perceived stress, depression, burnout, sleep, psychological health, and markers of inflammation. Participation lasts about six weeks, with follow-up assessments conducted remotely.

A Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Reduce Stress Through the Cultivation of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity in Healthcare Professionals