Individual-level stress interventions may benefit healthcare workers

Overall, the findings from the synthesis of randomised controlled trials indicate there may be an effect on occupational stress reduction in healthcare workers from individual-level stress interventions, whether they focus one’s attention on, or away from, the experience of stress.

Interventions that focus attention on the experience of stress include cognitive behavioural therapy and emotional skills training. Interventions that focus attention away from stress include yoga, meditation and listening to music.

This effect may last up to 1 year after the end of the interventions. A combination of interventions may be beneficial as well, at least in the short term.

The evidence on the long-term effect (more than 1 year after the end of the intervention) on stress symptoms for these 2 types of interventions is unclear due to a lack of evidence. The same applies for interventions that alter work-related risk factors on an individual level.