An online mindfulness course may help nursing students manage stress and emotions

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   45 nursing students in Istanbul, Turkey, with moderate to high stress. Most were women: 21 of 22 in the course group and 22 of 23 in the other group. They were in their second or third year of study.

2. 02

   What they did

   The course group had eight weekly online sessions, each 60 to 90 minutes long. They practised body scans, mindful walking and loving-kindness meditation, and kept a weekly log of their daily home practice. The other group had no course during the study. They were given the course materials afterwards.

3. 03

   What happened

   Stress fell over time in the course group, but not in the other group. The paper's discussion says the stress gap between the groups was not supported, so it is unclear. Compared with the other group, the course group reported less self-blame and more acceptance at the end and three months later.

What the study found

1. No difference

   Students in the online course ended no less stressed than students given no course, though their stress fell over time.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested
   • Rule: Practise with a groupused
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small randomised trial of 45 nursing students with moderate to high stress · vs students who got no course · they rated themselves · ⚠ summary claims more than the results show; numbers unreliable

2. Helped

   After the course, students dwelt on bad thoughts less, blamed themselves less and accepted more.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested
   • Rule: Practise with a groupused
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small randomised trial of 45 nursing students with moderate to high stress · vs students who got no course · they rated themselves · ⚠ summary claims more than the results show; numbers unreliable

Source