119 - Evaluation of virtual reality-based meditation as a tool to mitigate stress among parents and providers in the neonatal intensive care unit

Publication Number: 1109.119

Tierney M. Morrison, Boston Children's Hospital, Wayland, MA, United States; Jeffrey Jacobson, Boston Children's Hospital, Jamaica Plain, MA, United States; Henry A.. Feldman, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Anne R. Hansen, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Background: Parents and health care providers in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) may experience a substantial degree of stress. It is critical for these parents and providers to receive support to manage stress, as unaddressed, it can result in lasting deleterious health and professional consequences.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based meditation on stress of parents of NICU infants and stress and burnout in NICU providers.

Design/Methods: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), parents and providers in the NICU were randomized to VR-based meditation, eyeshade relaxation or control group. They completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at the start and end of the study period and self-rated mood before and after meditation or relaxation interventions. Providers completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) at the start and end of the study. Change in PSS and MBI scores and change in self-rated mood were compared between groups.

Results: Self-rated mood increased in parents and providers in the VR group. In subgroup analysis of parent dyads, fathers had a greater improvement in self-reported mood following VR meditation. There was a significant decrease in PSS scores in VR group providers. There were no significant changes in provider MBI scores.

Conclusion(s): VR meditation may furnish an immediate benefit, which may be sustained in NICU providers. Fathers experience a greater improvement in mood following VR meditation compared to mothers. Larger studies are needed to assess the effect of VR meditation performed more regularly over longer time periods on stress and mood of parents of NICU infants and providers. Future studies should also assess differences in the optimal stress-reduction resources for fathers versus mothers. VR meditation is a novel and accessible modality for stress mitigation in the NICU.

Changes in PSS scores and self-reported mood scores in parents and providers
Changes in perceived stress scores (start to end of study) and self-reported mood score (pre- to post-session) in parents and providers of infants in the NICU. PSS: Perceived Stress Scale. ES: eyeshade group. VR: virtual reality group. Bars indicate mean + standard error, from paired t-test.