The Feasibility of Virtual Tai Chi Easy for Registered Nurses

Abstract

Background: Registered nurses (RNs) are at risk of experiencing elevated levels of stress and burnout and are leaving the profession in droves. Considering the ever-expanding nursing shortage and the aging of the population in the United States (US), high turnover rates and nurses leaving the profession are highly problematic. Nurses experience numerous barriers to self-care or attending wellness classes due to work schedules, working off-shifts, and competing demands. Tai Chi Easy™ (TCE) is a safe, adaptable, and low-barrier form of mind-body exercise that can be delivered virtually, which increases accessibility. Aims: This dissertation study aimed to determine whether a virtual TCE exercise program was feasible, acceptable, and appropriate self-care intervention for RNs and to describe within-group changes in occupational stress, posttraumatic stress, somatic symptoms, burnout, transition shock, and intention to quit. Methods: Several nursing and non-nursing theories and concepts underpinned the single-group pre-post-intervention study design. RNs were recruited via postcards and emailed study flyers. Participants engaged in an asynchronous, virtual 1-hour TCE class twice a week for six weeks and practiced 10 minutes four days per week for six weeks. Study measures were collected using REDCap and included recruitment, retention, intervention adherence and safety, demographics, Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q), PTSD Checklist for DSM-V (PCL-5), Somatic Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-8), Maslach Burnout Inventory-Health Services Survey (MBI-HSS), and the English version of the Nurses’ Intention to Quit Scale (NITQ). Data analysis using Microsoft Excel software included descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. 14 Results: A total of 18 RNs enrolled, and 14 RNs (mean age=51±16, 86% female, 71% employed full-time) completed the study. Participants reported that the TCE intervention was acceptable (75%), appropriate (75%) and feasible (73%). However, intervention adherence was inadequate (65% TCE classes, 74% independent practice). No safety issues were reported during the study. Pre-post intervention changes in symptoms for PCL-5 (p=0.32), SSQ-8 (p=0.22), MBI (p>0.50, all domains), and NITQ (p=0.49) were not statistically significant. Study attrition was 22% (n=4) due to participant-reported time constraints. Conclusion: With some modifications, virtual TCE training may be a feasible mind-body self-care intervention for RNs.