Mindfulness Matters: Utilization and Perceptions of Mindfulness Practices Among Athletic Trainers

Abstract

Context: Mindfulness practices are effective for injury/illness recovery, decreasing stress and anxiety, and strengthening emotional resilience. They are also beneficial for healthcare professionals' well-being and improved patient outcomes and safety. However, mindfulness has not been studied in athletic trainers. Objective: To investigate athletic trainers' utilization of mindfulness practices and their perceptions on its importance for self- and patient/client-care. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: All athletic training practice settings. Patients and Other Participants: A total of 547 athletic trainers who are currently practicing completed the survey. Main Outcome Measure(s): We developed an 18-item survey that measured utilization (1(Never) to 6(Very Frequently)) and perceptions (1(Strongly Disagree) to 7(Strongly Agree)) of mindfulness practices. Mann-Whiney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests with post-hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to assess differences in utilization (p<0.05). A related samples Wilcoxon-signed-rank test was performed to assess differences in participants' perceptions between self- and patient/client-care. Results: Overall, 86% (n=471) of respondents reported participating in some form of mindfulness practice with females (Median(IQR) 4(2-5) vs. 3(2–4);p<0.002), those not in a committed relationship (4(2-5) vs. 3(2-4);p=0.048), and those without children in the home (4(2-5) vs. 3(2-4);p=0.040) reporting the highest frequency of use for self-care. Females (4(2-4) vs. 3(2-4);p<0.001), those without children in the home (3(2-4) vs. 3(2-4);p=0.036), and those in emerging (4(2-4);p=0.003) or collegiate settings (3(2-4);p=0.006) most frequently incorporated mindfulness into patient/client-care. Overall, frequency of use for self-care was higher than for patient/client-care (4, ‘occasionally' (2-4) vs. 3, ‘rarely' (2-4);p<0.001). Mindfulness practices were perceived as more important for self- than patient/client-care (6(5-7) vs. 5(5-6); p<0.001). Conclusions: Athletic trainers perceived mindfulness practices as more important for personal well-being and they utilized it, albeit occasionally, more for self-than for patient/client-care. Differences in gender, relationship status, children and setting were observed. Mindfulness-based interventions on athletic trainer well-being and patient-centered care and implementation barriers should be explored.