Virtual Mindfulness and Breathing Training for Stress, Burnout, Sleep, and Cognition in Rotating-Shift Nurses

Rotating-shift nurses often experience high levels of chronic stress, occupational burnout, and disrupted sleep patterns, which can negatively affect their cognitive function and well-being. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of technology-assisted mindfulness and breathing interventions in addressing these issues. A total of four groups will be included in this randomized controlled trial: 1. Control Group (CG): Participants will receive a weekly electronic health education manual for 8 weeks. Topics include healthy eating habits, balanced nutrition, the physiological impact of shift work, sleep hygiene for shift workers, the effects of electronic devices on sleep, and identifying sources of stress. No mindfulness or breathing content is included. 2. Mobile-based Mindfulness Group (MMG): Participants will engage in guided mindfulness practice via a smartphone application, using a pre-recorded 360-degree nature video. 3. Mobile-based Mindfulness with Breathing Group (MMBG): Participants will follow a similar protocol as MMG, with the addition of brief structured breathing exercises embedded in the training. 4. Virtual Reality-based Mindfulness with Breathing Group (VMBG): Participants will wear a VR headset and immerse themselves in a virtual nature setting while engaging in combined mindfulness and structured breathing training. All intervention groups will complete 10-minute sessions, five times per week, for a total of eight weeks. Primary outcome measures include: Perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10-C), Occupational burnout (Nursing Burnout Scale), Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and Cognitive function (including attention and memory tasks). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at follow-up. This study will provide insights into the comparative effectiveness of mobile and immersive digital interventions for improving mental health and physiological functioning in Rotating-shift nurses.