Executive function performance is reduced during occupational burnout but can recover to the level of healthy...

Burnout is a work-related syndrome that comprises physical fatigue, emotional exhaustion and cognitive weariness and is considered to be a risk factor for the development of major depression. While cognitive impairments in major depression persist even after remission of mood symptoms, the role of cognitive impairments in burnout is less clear. The hypothesis tested in the present study submits that executive function performance is reduced during burnout compared to healthy subjects but can recover to normal levels.

12 male subjects (mean age 45.8 ± 6.8 years) suffering from occupational burnout took part in the study. They completed questionnaires related to burnout severity and underwent testing of executive functions twice at baseline and at follow-up 12 weeks later. Between baseline and follow-up burnout participants performed regular aerobic exercise training. Executive function performance at baseline and follow-up was compared to 12 matched healthy controls.

Executive functioning was significantly reduced during acute burnout compared to healthy controls. At follow-up, both burnout severity and executive functioning were improved. Changes in burnout severity and executive function performance were not related.

Data suggest that executive function performance is impaired during acute burnout but can recover to the level of healthy controls. This finding is at odds with the finding of persistent deficits in the same tests found in major depression even after remission of depressive mood. Results may indicate that the pathophysiological changes underlying the impaired executive functioning during burnout are less pronounced compared to those in major depression.