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A randomised controlled trial of the effects of mindfulness practice on medical student stress levels
Citation
Warnecke, E and Quinn, S and Ogden, K and Towle, N and Nelson, MR, A randomised controlled trial of the effects of mindfulness practice on medical student stress levels, Medical Education, 45, (4) pp. 381-388. ISSN 0308-0110 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2011 The definitive published version is available online at: http://www.interscience.wiley.com
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03877.x
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine
whether the practice of mindfulness reduces
the level of stress experienced by senior medical
students.
METHODS We carried out a multicentre,
single-blinded, randomised controlled trial with
intention-to-treat analysis in three clinical
schools attached to the University of Tasmania,
Hobart, Tasmania. Participants included 66
medical students in their final 2 years of study
in 2009. Participants were block-randomised to
either an intervention or a usual care control
group. The intervention used an audio CD of
guided mindfulness practice designed and
produced for this trial. Participants were
advised to use the intervention daily over the
8 weeks of the trial. All participants completed
two self-report questionnaires, at baseline and
at 8 weeks, respectively. The intervention group
also completed a questionnaire at 16 weeks to
provide follow-up data. The primary outcome
measure was the difference over time in scores
on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The
secondary outcome measure referred to differences
over time in scores on the subscales of the
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS).
RESULTS Mean baseline scores on the PSS
and the stress component of the DASS
were 15.7 (maximal score of 40) and 13.2
(maximal score of 42), respectively, both of
which exceed scores in age-matched normative
control data. Using multivariable analysis,
participants in the intervention group demonstrated
significant reductions in scores on
the PSS () 3.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]
) 6.20 to ) 0.68; p < 0.05) and the anxiety
component of the DASS () 2.82, 95% CI
) 4.99 to ) 0.64; p < 0.05). A borderline significant
effect was demonstrated on the stress
component of the DASS () 3.69, 95% CI
) 7.38 to 0.01; p = 0.05). Follow-up at 8 weeks
post-trial revealed that the effect was
maintained.
CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness practice reduced
stress and anxiety in senior medical students.
Stress is prevalent in medical students and can
have adverse effects on both student health and
patients. A simple, self-administered, evidencebased
intervention now exists to manage stress
in this at-risk population and should be widely
utilised.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Health services and systems |
Research Field: | Health services and systems not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Mental health |
UTAS Author: | Warnecke, E (Dr Emma Warnecke) |
UTAS Author: | Quinn, S (Dr Stephen Quinn) |
UTAS Author: | Ogden, K (Dr Kathryn Ogden) |
UTAS Author: | Towle, N (Dr Nick Towle) |
UTAS Author: | Nelson, MR (Professor Mark Nelson) |
ID Code: | 73052 |
Year Published: | 2011 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 185 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2011-09-08 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-06 |
Downloads: | 12 View Download Statistics |
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