Quantitative Study Research Critique on the Effects of Mindfulness Training Program on Reducing Stress

Introduction

In the critical care units, the nurses usually have stress as they have a limited number of patients to attend to and they have different needs. About 33% of the nurses have a moderate and severe level of stress and this affects their service delivery. Despite having a conducive and comfortable environment, the patients have high expectations on the way they provide health care services. A mindfulness training program is recommended for the nurses in the critical care unit to enhance their well being and reduce stress. Background of the study

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Most nurses do suffer from stress especially the ones in critical care units due to the kind of activities they engage. Although it is a common issue among nurses, hospitals have not realized that it reduces the performance of the nurses. Also, several kinds of research have been conducted on the issue of stress among nurses but there has been no study published on structured well being or stress reduction programs among the nurses in Malaysia (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). This study is essential since it seeks to find out the usefulness of brief mindfulness-based training in promoting well-being and reducing stress for critical care unit nurses. The patients in the hospital are affected by the issue of stress among nurses as it makes them not to deliver quality services (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). At times, they might confuse medications for different patients.

The objectives of the study conducted by Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar (2014) included determining level of depression, stress, and anxiety for the critical care unit nurses taking part in a brief mindfulness training program; evaluating the efficiency of b-MBCT in increasing happiness and mindfulness; and evaluating effectiveness of b-MBCT in decreasing anxiety, stress, and depression. The purpose and research questions of the study are related to the problem and it is evident above.

Methods of study

According to Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar (2014), among the 41 participants, 90% of them completed the results and this played a significant role in enhancing the accuracy of the research. However, 80% attendance is an indication that the participants missed some important lessons that might have slightly changed the results of the study. Furthermore, the researchers obtained informed consent from the participants. It means that all the participants had previously agreed to participate in the program. Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar (2014) got the approval of an outside institution and the agency in which the research was conducted.

In this study, the independent variable is a mindfulness training program and the dependent variables are stress and well-being. Unfortunately, the authors did not identify these variables nor define them. The authors only defined mindfulness as paying attention in a certain way non judgmentally, in the present moment, and in a certain way. A quasi-experimental, single-group, pre-post study design was utilized in evaluating the effectiveness of the program and sampling was done using a nonprobability voluntary sample. Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar (2014) used nonprobability voluntary sampling because of scheduling the constraints among nurses in the critical care unit who were on about three duty shifts. The other method used in getting information was the self-reported questionnaire.

The time that was used in conducting the research was 5 weeks (2 hours weekly) (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). In week one, the participants discussed the introduction to mindfulness, ABC of stress, mindful stretching, and muscle relaxation while in week two they discussed the beginner's mind, theme song in mindfulness, and mindful imagery. In week 3, 4, and 5 the participants discussed gratitude workout; kindness, mind scan, and body scan; and heart scan respectively. Moreover, the participants undertook several exercises and each of them was given a booklet to guide them through the process and a compact disk. The authors did not discuss the way the rigor of the process taken by the participants was assured. Social Package Statistical Software (SPSS) was used in data analysis and after normality tests, inferential and descriptive statistics were utilized (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). The researcher did not include the measures they used in minimizing the effects of being biased.

The result of the study

Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar (2014) found out that the stress, anxiety, and depression levels were at 2, p < .001 mean differences. The results were interpreted that the mindfulness training programs resulted in decreased anxiety, depression, and stress. The mindfulness and happiness level also increased by 0.56, p < .001 and 1.57, p = .028 mean scores respectively (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). I believe that the findings are valid and a reflection of the reality while looking at the studies that were conducted in the past. There are several limitations of the group including self-fulfilling impact in responding to questions, no measures on patient-related outcomes and productivity, no follow up, and no control group. Tables were used in presenting the findings and the findings in this research can be applied in the nursing care unit as it suggests the best way of managing stress in that area (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). Regrettably, there are no suggestions for further studies.

Ethical Consideration

Under ethical consideration, an analyst finds out if full consent of the participants was sought before they took part in the study. The researchers got their ethical approval from the National Medical Research Register Committee and the Hospital's Ethical Committee (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). Furthermore, the participants in the study were provided with information sheet copy and consent for the research was obtained. Patients did not participate in the research meaning there was no need to protect their privacy. The researchers engaged in all the ethical considerations before conducting the research meaning they were well organized.

Conclusion

Through the study, it is evident that a mindfulness training program is essential for the nurses in the critical care unit to enhance their well-being and reduce stress. Also, the researchers concluded that b-MBCT is efficient in stress reduction and promotion of well-being, and it should be practiced among the nurses at critical care unit (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). The introduction of the program is essential since the reduction of stress among the nurses will make them put more focus on providing the patients with quality care services.

The research is very essential since most people in Malaysia do not know if there is a relationship between mindfulness training programs and stress (Lan, Subramanian, Rahmat, & Kar, 2014). In most cases, nurses do assume that they will be relieved of stress after some time. However, in some cases, one might have stress for a long period. From the research, it was evident that the nurses in critical care units suffer from moderate and severe stress considering their workload. Thus, the b-MBCT program should be integrated into the curriculum of nurses.

References

Lan, H. K., Subramanian, P., Rahmat, N., & Kar, P. C. (2014). The Effects of Mindfulness Training Program on Reducing Stress and Promoting Well-Being Among Nurses in Critical Care Units. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, The, 31(3), 22.