A Virtual Reality Mindfulness-based Intervention for Nurse Managers

A Virtual Reality Mindfulness-based Intervention: The Impact and Acceptability for Nurse Managers in an Academic Medical Center

A pilot intervention wait-list control study evaluating the effectiveness of a worksite, on-demand virtual reality mindfulness intervention. Outcomes of interest include perceived stress, burnout, work engagement, resilience and respiratory rates. System usability of the VR mindfulness program and integration into the clinical workday will also be assessed for both groups.

This pilot intervention waitlist control study will evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week on-demand worksite virtual reality mindfulness-based intervention with academic medical center nurse managers and assistant nurse managers. Individual outcome measures will include perceived stress, burnout, resilience, work engagement, weekly respiratory rates, system usability and integration of the intervention into the workday. The study will use a convenience sample of nurse managers and assistant nurse managers recruited from across The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. All participants will provide informed consent which will describe the intervention and wait list control groups, the intervention, and the intervention timelines per requirements of the institutional Internal Review Board. After randomization into intervention and waitlist control groups, all participants will complete outcome measures at the same time one week before the initiation of the VR intervention group, one week after the last day of the VR intervention for the intervention group, and again one week after the waitlist control group receives the VR intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Employed as a Nurse Manager or Assistant Nurse Manager at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• Manage a hospital-based department/unit with supervisory responsibility
• Ability to participate in study for 8 consecutive weeks using VR technology, three times a week for 10-15-minute sessions during work hours

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less than 18 years of age
• Pregnant
• Not employed as a Nurse Manager or Assistant Nurse Manager at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• Inability to participate in study for 8 consecutive weeks using VR technology, three times a week for 15-minute sessions during work hours.
• Does not have a personal smart phone or computer to access app.
• Inability to read and/or understand English (consent and questionnaires in English)
• Medical or other conditions that would preclude use of Virtual Reality technology such as:
• Epilepsy or neurological conditions where visual stimuli may trigger seizures or other issues, sensitivity to light or motion, current pregnancy, or any injuries that would prevent operating a headset, history of motion sickness or nausea, history of migraines or headaches, history of balance issues or dizziness, pregnancy, recent concussions, or other conditions where dizziness, nausea or headaches are more likely
• Any exclusions determined from the VR Prescreening Questionnaire for Pre-existing Conditions or Prescreening Eligibility Questionnaire.