Effects of an Online Meditation-Based Intervention Compared to an Attention-Controlled Group on Chronic Pain Outcome among Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Nurses, central to healthcare, are experiencing chronic pain and stress, which affects their personal and professional lives. Due to multiple roles, they lack time to practice self-care. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting an online, asynchronous, three-week, double-blind, randomized-controlled meditation-based intervention compared to an active-controlled group on chronic pain outcomes of stress, serum cortisol, self-compassion, professional caring, pulse rate, and as-needed over-the-counter pain medication among nurses. Method Three-week, online, asynchronized, double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study with 40 United States nurses. Results Analysis of covariance and ordinal logistic regression indicated that the intervention did not have an effect on the outcomes collected. However, unsolicited self-reports indicated improvements in symptoms. Conclusion This study indicates improved outcomes per self-reports and invites further research into micro-practices as a possible effective strategy for managing chronic pain and stress among nurses.