Abstracts
3427244
(#66) Reducing stress levels in mental health patients by implementing an 8-week stress reduction program
Abstract: Abstract
Elevated stress worsens depression and anxiety in psychiatric populations. Screening of 71 patients across five states revealed 91.5% met criteria for depression on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and 80.3% met criteria for anxiety on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. A nonpharmacological stress reduction program was determined clinically beneficial and financially accessible.
Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, a nurse practitioner implemented an eight-week virtual stress reduction program integrating social determinants of mental health into each session. Literature supports eight-week mindfulness interventions as effective in reducing depression and anxiety. Outcomes were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, Stress Appraisal Survey, and a nurse practitioner-developed Social Determinants of Mental Health checklist to capture stress levels in real time.
Clinical findings demonstrated improvements in stress, anxiety, and depression. Approximately 50% of stressors were work-related. Chair yoga was the most impactful session, with 57.7% of participants reporting improvement and 49.1% experiencing decreased stress across eight weeks. Findings support Phase 2 continuation and broader implementation across hospitals, private practices, law enforcement, and federal offices. Implementing the stress reduction program provided coping strategies to improve patients' daily lives, and addressing social determinants of mental health helped providers identify and address determinants impacting their patients.
Short Description: Grounded in the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and supported by mindfulness literature, this nurse practitioner-led eight-week virtual nonpharmacological stress reduction program served 71 psychiatric patients across five states. Sessions addressed social determinants of mental health through mindfulness, healthy eating, healthy scheduling, sleep hygiene, movement, chair yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation. A nurse practitioner-developed Social Determinants of Mental Health checklist captured stress levels in real time. Assessments showed reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Lilac Health
Elevated stress worsens depression and anxiety in psychiatric populations. Screening of 71 patients across five states revealed 91.5% met criteria for depression on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and 80.3% met criteria for anxiety on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. A nonpharmacological stress reduction program was determined clinically beneficial and financially accessible.
Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, a nurse practitioner implemented an eight-week virtual stress reduction program integrating social determinants of mental health into each session. Literature supports eight-week mindfulness interventions as effective in reducing depression and anxiety. Outcomes were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, Stress Appraisal Survey, and a nurse practitioner-developed Social Determinants of Mental Health checklist to capture stress levels in real time.
Clinical findings demonstrated improvements in stress, anxiety, and depression. Approximately 50% of stressors were work-related. Chair yoga was the most impactful session, with 57.7% of participants reporting improvement and 49.1% experiencing decreased stress across eight weeks. Findings support Phase 2 continuation and broader implementation across hospitals, private practices, law enforcement, and federal offices. Implementing the stress reduction program provided coping strategies to improve patients' daily lives, and addressing social determinants of mental health helped providers identify and address determinants impacting their patients.
Short Description: Grounded in the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and supported by mindfulness literature, this nurse practitioner-led eight-week virtual nonpharmacological stress reduction program served 71 psychiatric patients across five states. Sessions addressed social determinants of mental health through mindfulness, healthy eating, healthy scheduling, sleep hygiene, movement, chair yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation. A nurse practitioner-developed Social Determinants of Mental Health checklist captured stress levels in real time. Assessments showed reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Lilac Health
