Stress, self-esteem and well-being among female health professionals: A randomized clinical trial on the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses

Eliseth Ribeiro Leão, Daniela Reis Dal Fabbro, Rebeca Barqueiro de Oliveira, Ingrid Ribeiro Dos Santos, Elivane da Silva Victor, Rita Lacerda Aquarone, Cristiane Benvenuto Andrade, Vivian Finotti Ribeiro, Roselaine Coelho de Oliveira, Rosa Friedlander, Daniela Santos Ferreira, Eliseth Ribeiro Leão, Daniela Reis Dal Fabbro, Rebeca Barqueiro de Oliveira, Ingrid Ribeiro Dos Santos, Elivane da Silva Victor, Rita Lacerda Aquarone, Cristiane Benvenuto Andrade, Vivian Finotti Ribeiro, Roselaine Coelho de Oliveira, Rosa Friedlander, Daniela Santos Ferreira

Abstract

Background: Stress levels are evident among health professionals. However, there are few studies on sensory-based self-care aimed at stress management, self-esteem and subjective well-being in this group of professionals.

Objective: To assess the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses on the stress levels, self-esteem and well-being of health professionals in a hospital environment.

Methods: A total of 93 health professionals participated in an unblinded clinical trial, randomized into four groups: 1) control (no intervention); 2) Monosensory-daily body moisturizing (DBM) with odorless cream; 3) Bisensory-DBM with scented cream; 4) Multisensory-DBM with scented cream associated with audiovisual material. Participants answered specific questionnaires to assess stress, self-esteem and well-being and cortisol samples were collected at baseline, 15 and 30 days following intervention, and at the 30-day follow-up.

Results: Self-care was characterized as neglected, with most participants reporting inadequate hours of sleep (74%), irregular physical activity (68%), and inadequate nutrition (45%). Compared to the other groups, the Bisensory group had lower stress on all three assessments (p = 0.017; 0.012; 0.036), a life satisfaction 8% higher at follow-up than at baseline (95% CI: 2% to 15%, p = 0.016), a 10% increase in positive affect (95% CI: 2% to 19%, p = 0.011) and a 12% reduction in negative affect (95% CI: 3% to 21% less, p = 0.014) after 30 days. The Multisensory group showed improvement in self-esteem (p = 0.012) and reduced cortisol (p = 0.036) after 30 days of intervention. The control group showed no changes in the variables studied, except for cortisol: an increase at the 15-day evaluation (denoting higher risk for stress, p = 0.009) and a reduction at follow-up (p = 0.028), which was nevertheless within normal levels.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02406755.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: RF, DSF have been employees of Natura Cosméticos. ERL, DRDF, RBO, IRS, ESV, RLA, CB, VFR, and RCO have no competing interests. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1. Participation flowchart.
Fig 1. Participation flowchart.

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