Advanced search

Search results      


Meditation and Empathy in Osteopathic Medical Students: A Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Date: 2019/12, 119(12):Pages: e139-e140. doi: Subito , type of study: longitudinal study

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2019.128/html)

Keywords:

empathy [50]
longitudinal study [28]
medical students [402]
meditation [8]
osteopathic medicine [1540]
USA [1086]

Abstract:

Statement of Significance: According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), DOs are trained to look at people holistically from the inception of medical school. Fostering empathy in osteopathic medical students is particularly important as they are the future of the health care workforce and a trend of declining empathy during medical education may lead to decreased health care quality outcomes. Research Methods: This study was IRB approved. First and second year osteopathic medical students were recruited into the study. A pilot study was initiated in January 2017, and continued as an AOA grant funded study. Data from 3 separate study cohorts were combined for this analysis. Students were randomized into an intervention group (use of the Headspace meditation app) or control group (no use of the app). The study included 54 students in the intervention group and 54 controls. Students in the intervention groups used the app 3 days a week, 10 minutes each session. Empathy was measured prior to study initiation and after 3 months using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE). This scale is a 20-item instrument specifically developed to measure empathy in the context of health care. Higher scores on the JSE scale indicate higher empathy. Data Analysis: t tests were used to compare the intervention group and control group on all continuous variables. χ2 tests were used to compare the 2 groups on categorical variables. A p-value under 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 24.9 (SD 4.5) in the intervention group and 24.3 (SD 3.5) in the control group. 60.7% (n=32) of the intervention group and 52.83% (n=28) of the control group were female. Age and gender were not significantly different between the intervention and control groups. At baseline, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of mean empathy score (p= 0.29). In the intervention group, the mean score was 116.6 (SD 11.0). In the control group, the mean score was 114.8 (SD 10.6). When analyses were stratified by gender, no difference was found at baseline, in either the female only or male only cohort. After 3 months of meditation, the intervention group had a score of 118.1 (SD 9.4) while the control group had a score of 112.0 (SD 12.6), and this difference was statistically significant (P=.01). When 3-month analyses were stratified by gender and conducted separately in males and females, there was no significant difference found (P=.33) between males in the intervention group (JSE 116.4, SD 9.9) and males in the control group (JSE 112.8, SD 12.2). However, at 3 months, there was a significant difference (P-.01) between females in the intervention group (JSE 119.7, SD 8.9), and females in the control group (JSE 111.3, SD 13.3). Conclusion: This study found that meditation using the headspace app may be effective for improving empathy levels among osteopathic medical students, particularly amongst female medical students. Existing research suggests that there are differences between genders in terms of empathy. (This is consistent with previous research that found a difference in baseline performance on the JSE scale between males and females (4,5). It is possible that males and females may process and react to emotional situations differently, and thus may need different tools to help maintain or grow their empathy levels. In order to better understand long term potential effects of meditation on improving empathy levels among medical students, this study will continue over a longer period of time. Future analyses will consider other pertinent issues such as the impact of timing in the school year (Fall, vs Spring vs Summer) and preferences in areas of medicine (e.g. Surgery vs Internal medicine). If future research shows that student empathy increases with use of a meditation app, osteopathic medical schools may consider implementation of this interventions to promote stronger empathy in students, and ultimately better health outcomes for future patients of these students.


Search results      

 
 
 






  • ImpressumLegal noticeDatenschutz


ostlib.de/data_zudnhprvsktexbgwaqmf



Supported by

OSTLIB recommends