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Mobile meditation for improving quality of life, anxiety and depression among surgical residents and faculty

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2021

M D Hicks Open the ORCID record for M D Hicks [Opens in a new window] ,
L A Braden ,
E M Walsh ,
B J Greene  and
J W Grayson
M D Hicks*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
L A Braden
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
E M Walsh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
B J Greene
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
J W Grayson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Melanie D Hicks, FOT 1155, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL35294-3412, USA E-mail: melaniehicks@uabmc.edu
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Abstract

Background

Burnout, anxiety and depression are commonly reported among surgical residents and faculty members. Resident training programmes are encouraged to implement structured wellness initiatives, to address emotional stress.

Methods

Thirty otolaryngology residents and faculty members were invited to participate in this prospective pilot trial. Participants were randomised to either the intervention group, which involved completing 10 mobile meditation sessions, or the control group. Outcomes were measured with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7, Patient Health Questionnaire and Professional Quality of Life scale.

Results

Nineteen participants completed the study. Participants in the intervention group had a significantly greater mean change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 score (−2.7 ± 3.335 vs 0.33 ± 1.225; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in average change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores or Professional Quality of Life scale sub-scores between the intervention and control groups.

Conclusion

Short meditation sessions can significantly improve anxiety in surgical residents and faculty members, and they offer a simple, attainable and effective wellness intervention.

Keywords

Quality Of LifeBurnoutMedical EducationPsychology
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 11 , November 2022 , pp. 1034 - 1038
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr M Hicks takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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