Recreational Music-making: An Integrative Group Intervention for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in First Year Associate Degree Nursing Students: Insights and Economic Impact

Abstract

The challenges of providing exemplary undergraduate nursing education cannot be underestimated in an era when burnout and negative mood states predictably lead to alarming rates of academic as well as career attrition. While the multi-dimensional nature of this complex issue has been extensively elucidated, few rational strategies exist to reverse a disheartening trend recognizable early in the educational process that subsequently threatens to undermine the future viability of quality healthcare. This controlled prospective crossover study examined the impact of a 6-session Recreational Music-making (RMM) protocol on burnout and mood dimensions as well as Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) in first year associate level nursing students. A total of 75 first year associate degree nursing students from Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) participated in a 6-session RMM protocol focusing on group support and stress reduction utilizing a specific group drumming protocol. Burnout and mood dimensions were assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Profile of Mood States respectively. Statistically significant reductions of multiple burnout and mood dimensions as well as TMD scores were noted. Potential annual cost savings for the typical associate degree nursing program (16,800 dollars) and acute care hospital (322,000 dollars) were projected by an independent economic analysis firm. A cost-effective 6-session RMM protocol reduces burnout and mood dimensions as well as TMD in associate degree nursing students.

Assessing intervention effectiveness for reducing stress in student nurses: quantitative systematic review

“…1981, Mancini et al. 1983, Severtsen & Bruya 1986; Forbes & Pekala 1993, Bittman et al. 2004, Consolo et al.…”

Recreational music-making alters gene expression pathways in patients with coronary heart disease

“…RMM focuses on personal expression and group support, rather than mastery and performance [14]. Research has shown that RMM activities are effective bio-behavioral modulators for reducing stress, limiting occupational burnout and attrition, and enhancing quality of life [15,16]. Although acute psychological stress has been shown to induce changes in signaling cascades, cellular defense mechanisms, and peripheral blood gene expression, little is known about molecular responses that accompany relaxation strategies.…”

The validation of an active control intervention for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

“…The following is a summary of the rationale underlying HEP: In four areas, we will help you develop new habits and reinforce new ones that are known to increase well-being: (1) Physical activity enhances one’s sense of well-being, increases energy, and reduces health risks, including coronary heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and diabetes; (2) Functional movement improves posture/core strength, balance, agility and joint mobility, resulting in a physically more resilient individual less prone to sustain injury from spontaneous or unpredictable events; (3) Supportive Music and Imagery and other elements of music therapy generate positive emotions to facilitate performance on concrete tasks and is used in a group setting to create a common experience, thereby increasing relaxation-related melatonin levels (Kumar et al, 1999), enhancing immune response (Bittman et al, 2001; Wachi et al, 2007), favorably changing stress-related gene expression (Bittman et al, 2005), increasing positive mood and reducing burn out (Bittman et al, 2004); (4) Incorporating evidence-based nutrition into one’s eating lifestyle will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity, osteoporosis, constipation, diverticular disease, iron deficiency anemia, oral disease, malnutrition, and some cancers (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005).…”