The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on nursing students: A meta-analysis

Background:
Recently, mindfulness interventions have been extensively applied in the field of nursing education. However, no consensus has been reached on whether these interventions can reduce anxiety and depression in nursing students.

Objective:
This meta-analysis was designed to determine the effect of mindfulness interventions on levels of depression, anxiety, stress and mindfulness for nursing students.

Design:
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods:
The following Chinese and English databases were searched for relevant articles: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and Wanfang. The search encompassed the establishment of these databases up until January 2020. Two reviewers separately entered the data into Review Manager Software 5.3.

Results:
A total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were reviewed. It was found that mindfulness interventions significantly lowered levels of depression (SMD = -0.42, 95% CI:-0.56 to -0.28, P < 0.001), anxiety (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI:-0.47 to -0.17, P < 0.001) and stress (SMD = -0.50, 95% CI:-0.65 to -0.35, P < 0.001) in nursing students. Furthermore, the interventions raised levels of mindfulness in this group (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI:0.33-0.75, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:
Mindfulness interventions can significantly reduce nursing students' negative emotions, helping them to manage their stress and anxiety. College nursing educators should consider adopting mindfulness interventions in nursing education to promote the mental health of students.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Meta-analysis; Mindfulness; Nursing students; Stress.

PMID: 33454659 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104718