Compassion Cultivation as a High-Leverage Intervention for the Mitigation of Occupational Distress Syndrome (Burnout)

About this study

Burnout is now recognized by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon driven by chronic workplace stress. Rehabilitation therapy staff in skilled nursing facilities carry high emotional and physical demands, placing them at elevated risk.

This Doctoral Scholarly Project examines whether a brief, structured loving-kindness meditation (LKM) practice — sustained daily for 30 days — can meaningfully reduce burnout and strengthen self-compassion among these clinicians.

Who can take part

• Occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTA)
• Physical therapists (PT) and physical therapist assistants (PTA)
• Speech-language pathologists (SLP)
• Currently working in a skilled nursing facility
• 18 years of age or older

What taking part involves

1. 1

   Baseline survey

   A short intake questionnaire using validated measures of burnout and self-compassion, plus a few background questions.

2. 2

   30-day meditation program

   A guided loving-kindness meditation practiced for a few minutes each day over 30 consecutive days, delivered through simple audio sessions.

3. 3

   Follow-up survey

   The same burnout and self-compassion measures repeated at the end of the 30 days to assess change.

Your participation & privacy

• Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without penalty.
• Your individual responses are kept confidential and reported only in aggregate.
• This project is conducted as a Doctoral Scholarly Project within the Nebraska Methodist College EdD in Healthcare Education and Leadership program, under the advisement of Dr. Jillian Krumbach.