Data related to a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a virtual reality mindfulness intervention for nurse managers in an academic medical center

High levels of chronic and recurrent workplace stressors can profoundly impact the physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being of the health care workers. Research and interventions specially related to various mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be beneficial at countering the negative effects of workplace stressors in the healthcare environment. While these interventions have primarily focused on front line healthcare workers, nurse managers have received less attention. In this randomized controlled trial, a sample of nurse managers and assistant nurse managers employed across an academic medical center were randomized into intervention and wait-list control groups. According to their assigned group, they engaged in a commercially available virtual reality mindfulness intervention (TRIPP) during their work day, three times a week for 15 minutes. Over the course of an eight week period, participants in each group engaged with the virtual reality mindfulness intervention during work hours at times that best into their professional and personal schedules. The intervention took place in the nurse managers' private office space. Outcomes measures of perceived stress (PSS-10), burnout (MBI-HSS), resilience (CD-10), and work engagement (UWES-9) were obtained pre-and post-intervention for both intervention and wait-list control groups. Results demonstrated significant decreases in perceived stress (p=.002) and burnout sub scales of emotional exhaustion (p=.001) and depersonalization (p=.001) with significant increases in the burnout sub scale of personal accomplishment (p=.006). In addition, significant increases in resilience (p=.006) and all sub scales of work engagement; vigor (p<.001), dedication (p=.011), and absorption (p=.019) were found for those in the intervention group as compared to the wait-list control group. Analysis also demonstrated medium to large effect sizes for all outcome measures.   

This submission reflects the raw dataset that includes de-identified demographic indicators (age, race/ethnicity, number of direct reports from REDCap-exported to Excel) for intervention and wait-list control groups of nurse managers and assistant nurse managers who participated in an eight-week worksite virtual reality  mindfulness intervention. The dataset (REDCap data exported to Excel) and code (R Statistical Software) used to run the analysis on pre- and post-intervention outcome measures of perceived stress (PSS-10), burnout (MBI-HSS), resilience (CD-10), and work engagement (UWES-9) are also included. The REDCap Excel file is labeled with each outcome measure and question numbers for the measures. The responses (number) for each outcome measure question aligns to the Likert scale range specific to each measure; this de-identified file can be used freely. 

Methods
Consent and baseline questionnaires, PSS-10, MBI-HSS, CD-10, and UWES-9, for all participants (both Intervention and Wait-List control groups) were completed prior to initiation of the intervention for the Intervention Group, via the participant’s smartphone or computer, accessed via a REDCap link.

Participants in the Intervention Group (treatment group) received a VR headset, instructions on use of the VR headset, hand controllers, and the virtual reality mindfulness program; contact information for questions, concerns, or discomfort with the virtual reality technology and software was provided to each participant by a member of the research team. Intervention Group participants were instructed to use the virtual reality mindfulness intervention three times a week during work hours; weekly participation occurred within their worksite office space.

At the end of the first eight-week intervention period, all participants (both Intervention and Wait-List Control groups) completed the PSS-10, MBI-HSS, CD-10, and UWES-9, accessed via a REDCap link.

During the second eight weeks, participants in the Wait-List Control Group received a VR headset, instructions on use of the VR headset, hand controllers, and the virtual reality mindfulness program; contact information for questions, concerns, or discomfort with the virtual reality technology and software was provided to each participant by a member of the research team. Wait-List Control Group participants were instructed to use the virtual reality mindfulness intervention three times a week during work hours; weekly participation occurred within their worksite office space. At the end of the second eight-week study period, Wait-List Control Group participants completed the PSS-10, MBI-HSS, CD-10, and UWES-9.