Evaluating the efficacy of a mindfulness mobile app for stress reduction in nurses

Abstract

Objective: All Nurses experience work stress that can take their focus away from patient care. Healthcare organizations strive to identify successful, cost-effective stress reduction programs. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training is a validated approach to stress reduction, usually in a class format. However, financial and time constraints make it inaccessible to most practicing nurses. Alternatively, mobile mindfulness apps offer an approach to mindfulness that can reach large populations, are available 24/7, anonymous, and cost effective.

Methods: This prospective, study evaluated the efficacy of a mindfulness mobile app for stress reduction in nurses utilizing Whil, a Mobile App that offers mindfulness training specifically geared towards health professionals. Eight hundred and fifty-two nurses were recruited from twelve sites (71 per site) within a large Health Care System in the Northeast United States.

Results: Two scales were used to test results. Nurses Stress Scale (NSS) results indicated that nurses experienced a reduction in stress level with use and time spent in the app. Nurses in the 31-40 age range and nurses on 12-hour shifts experienced greater stress levels.

Conclusions: Significant differences were seen in the Subscales Conflict with Physicians, Conflict with other Nurses, and Lack of Support. There was no change in the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) over time. Spearman’s correlation showed a significant and negative correlation between NSS and MAAS scores. The Whil Mobile App is effective for stress reduction in practicing nurses on all shifts and is cost effective.