Feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program among psychiatry and child neuropsychiatry residents: A pilot study

Authors:
  • ANAntimo Natale
    Antimo Natale
  • CCCecilia Chiarenza
    Cecilia Chiarenza
  • CRCarla Benedicta Romano
    Carla Benedicta Romano
  • GMGiuseppina Morabito
    Giuseppina Morabito
  • LFLetizia Ferrante
    Letizia Ferrante
  • LBLaura Bongiorno
    Laura Bongiorno
  • FAFakhrou Abdulnaser
    Fakhrou Abdulnaser
  • RPRoberta Pastorino
    Roberta Pastorino
  • MSMaria Salvina Signorelli
    Maria Salvina Signorelli
Open Access
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Abstract
Background: Burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and impaired mentalizing are common among mental health trainees, potentially impacting well-being and quality of care. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in mitigating these issues. Incorporating such programs into postgraduate training may offer proactive support during a critical developmental stage. Objective: This study primarily aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program among psychiatry and child neuropsychiatry residents. Secondary exploratory aims included assessing preliminary changes in burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mentalizing outcomes. Methods: This single-center, non-randomized controlled pilot feasibility study included psychiatry and child neuropsychiatry residents. Participation in the intervention group was based on willingness to attend an MBSR program alongside standard institutional support services. A comparison group was identified among residents from the same departments who received standard support only. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, and participant satisfaction. Validated scales assessed burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mentalizing before and after intervention. Results: Thirty-nine participants were included in the final analysis (19 in the intervention group; 20 in the control group). Feasibility outcomes indicated good acceptability and participant satisfaction. Exploratory analyses showed a modest reduction in emotional exhaustion in the intervention group compared to controls (p = 0.0487), while no significant between-group differences emerged for other outcomes. Conclusion: This pilot study supports the feasibility and acceptability of implementing an MBSR program among mental health trainees. Exploratory findings suggest possible effects on emotional exhaustion, although results should be interpreted cautiously. Larger controlled studies are needed to assess clinical effectiveness.