A Stress Reduction Program Adapted for the Work Environment: A Randomized Controlled Trial With a Follow-Up

Area of Science:

• Occupational health psychology
• Mindfulness-based interventions
• Workplace mental health

Background:

• Workplace stress and non-severe psychiatric symptoms are prevalent.
• Existing stress reduction programs may not fit business time constraints.
• There is a need for effective, adaptable workplace mental health solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the PROGRESS program, an in situ stress reduction initiative.
• To assess its impact on psychiatric symptoms, stress, anxiety, depression, processing speed, attention, and mindfulness.
• To determine the program's replicability and sustained effects.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with two groups (intervention and control).
• Participants (n=44) with stress complaints underwent an 8-week intervention.
• Evaluations at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up assessed multiple psychological variables.

Main Results:

• The PROGRESS program significantly reduced stress, anxiety, depression, and psychiatric symptoms (p < 0.05).
• Improvements in processing speed, attention, and mindfulness were observed.
• Sustained positive effects were noted at 8-week follow-up in the intervention group.

Conclusions:

• The in situ PROGRESS mindfulness program is effective for workplace stress reduction.
• It successfully improved mental health and cognitive functions in business workers.
• The program demonstrated replicability and sustained benefits, even with time constraints.