Yoga for Self-Care and Burnout Prevention

The promotion of self-care and the prevention of burnout among nurses is a public health priority. Evidence supports the efficacy of yoga to improve physical and mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined the influence of yoga on nurse-specific outcomes. The purpose of this pilot-level randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of yoga to improve self-care and reduce burnout among nurses. Compared with controls (n = 20), yoga participants (n = 20) reported significantly higher self-care as well as less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization upon completion of an 8-week yoga intervention. Although the control group demonstrated no change throughout the course of the study, the yoga group showed a significant improvement in scores from pre- to post-intervention for self-care (p < .001), mindfulness (p = .028), emotional exhaustion (p = .008), and depersonalization (p = .007) outcomes. Implications for practice are discussed.

Rank: 14

First Author: Alexander

Outcome: Emot. Exhaust./Comp. Fatig.,Mindfulness

Outcome p-value: Emotional Exhaustion/Compassion Fatigue:⭑⭑, Mindfulness:⭑

Intervention Category: Reflection and Relaxation

Time per Employee (hours): No time specified.

D&B Study Quality Rating: 20

Reviewer Confidence: 3.5

Country: US

Study Design Type: RCT

Materials Available to Implement: Intervention outlined in publication. Requires experienced yoga instructor. An overview of the partnership development process to develop/sustain a yoga program for employees is at: https://doi.org/10.1177/216507991306101202. Corresponding author: g.alexander@tcu.edu.

Organiz./Individ. Focus: Individual

Prevention Category: Primary,Secondary

Effect Size: Medium

Effect size Small:

Effect size Medium: Emot. Exhaust./Comp. Fatig.,Mindfulness

Reference: Alexander, Gina K., Kari Rollins, Danielle Walker, Lily Wong, and Jacquelyn Pennings. “Yoga for Self-Care and Burnout Prevention Among Nurses.” Workplace Health & Safety 63, no. 10 (October 2015): 462–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079915596102