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Analyzing the effect of theoretical mindfulness-nursing-education-programme on students’ stress, resilience, and heart rate variability: a quasi-experimental study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stress adversely affects nursing students' well-being and clinical communication. This study examined the effects of a newly developed mindfulness-based nursing education programme (MINDNUEDU) on perceived stress, resilience, and heart rate variability (HRV) among nursing students. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, two-arm pre-post design was conducted at a university in Taiwan. Seventy nursing students were allocated to either an eight-week mindfulness intervention group (n = 36) or a standard curriculum control group (n = 34) based on academic scheduling constraints. Primary outcomes were perceived stress, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, and resilience, measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Secondary outcomes included HRV indices (SDNN, RMSSD, and HF power), assessed within the intervention group. Adjusted between-group differences over time were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations, controlling for baseline values and year of study. RESULTS: After adjustment for baseline differences, significant Group × Time interactions were observed for perceived stress (p = .004) and resilience (p < .001), indicating greater improvements in the intervention group compared with controls. The mean increase in resilience exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. A significant dose-response relationship was also identified, with higher attendance linearly associated with greater reductions in stress (p = .003) and greater gains in resilience (p = .004). Within the intervention group, session-level analyses demonstrated acute post-session increases in parasympathetic-related HRV indices across several weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the MINDNUEDU programme was associated with reduced perceived stress and increased resilience among nursing students. While physiological findings reflected short-term autonomic changes during sessions rather than confirmed long-term trait adaptation, the results support the feasibility of integrating structured mindfulness training into nursing education. Randomized controlled trials with longitudinal follow-up are needed to confirm sustainability and causal effects.

Source: BMC Medical Education

DOI: 10.1186/s12909-026-09176-w

Authors: Tzu-Jung Tseng, Chiung-Jung Wu

Institutions: Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, VinUniversity

Language: English

Topic: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,990