Balint Approach Group Intervention

NCT07278219 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-10333602-050.04-280361
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a Balint-based group intervention on burnout and communication skills among nurses. Burnout is a common outcome of prolonged exposure to workplace stressors and can weaken nurses' empathy, emotional regulation, and therapeutic communication abilities. Balint groups are reflective, structured sessions that focus on understanding the emotional and relational aspects of challenging patient-nurse interactions. These groups provide a safe environment for nurses to explore their thoughts and feelings, enhance self-awareness, and improve interpersonal effectiveness. The study used a two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled design with pre-test and post-test measurements and follow-up assessments at one and three months. A total of 50 nurses were screened, and 30 who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. Inclusion criteria included at least one year of experience in the same clinical setting and the provision of informed consent. Nurses with communication impairments that could interfere with participation were excluded. The intervention consisted of six weekly online Balint-based group sessions lasting 45-50 minutes. Sessions followed the structure recommended by the International Balint Federation, including case presentation, exploration, group discussion, feedback, and closing phases. The first session included additional time to review study procedures and establish group rules and confidentiality. The control group continued routine work without receiving any additional psychosocial support. The primary outcome was burnout, measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The secondary outcome was communication skills, assessed with the Communication Skills Scale for Health Professionals. Both outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one- and three-month follow-ups. Data were collected electronically, and all participants provided informed consent online. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant institutional ethics committee. This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting the use of Balint-based reflective group interventions to enhance nurses' psychosocial well-being and professional communication competencies.

Conditions

Burnout; Communication Skills; Psychosocial Well-being

Keywords

burnout; Communication skills; nursing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory Total Score)

  Burnout will be assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), a 22-item self-report scale measuring emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. In this study, the personal accomplishment subscale will be reverse-coded so that higher total scores indicate higher levels of burnout. Scores range from 0 to 88. MBI is widely used to assess occupational burnout among healthcare professionals.

  Baseline, immediately after the intervention (6 weeks), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Communication Skills (Communication Skills Scale for Health Professionals)

  Baseline, immediately after the intervention (6 weeks), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.

Study Arms (2)

Arm Title: Balint-Based Group Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received a Balint-based group intervention consisting of six weekly online sessions, each lasting 45-50 minutes. Sessions followed the structure recommended by the International Balint Federation, including case presentation, exploration, group discussion, feedback, and closing phases. The intervention was delivered by two psychiatric nursing academics trained in psychotherapy techniques. The group was conducted as a closed group, and sessions were scheduled according to nurses' shift patterns

Behavioral: Balint Approach Group Intervention

Arm Title → Control Group (No Intervention)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm continued their routine work schedules and did not receive any additional training, counseling, or psychosocial intervention during the study period. Data collection was performed at the same time points as the intervention group (baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up). After the study was completed, the control group was informed about the intervention

Interventions

Balint Approach Group Intervention BEHAVIORAL

A Balint-based group intervention consisting of six weekly online sessions lasting 45-50 minutes. Sessions followed the structure recommended by the International Balint Federation, including case presentation, exploration, group discussion, feedback, and closing phases. The intervention was delivered by two psychiatric nursing academics trained in psychotherapy techniques. The group was conducted as a closed group, and sessions were scheduled according to participants' shift patterns

Also known as: Balint-Based Group Intervention

Arm Title: Balint-Based Group Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• having worked as a nurse in the same clinical setting for at least one year
• providing informed consent to participate

You may not qualify if:

• presence of a communication impairment that could hinder participation (e.g., hearing or speech disorder)
• Discontinuation Criteria:
• Voluntary withdrawal from the study
• Failure to attend at least two sessions
• Incomplete or missing data on the study instruments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yuksek Ihtisas University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Bilecik, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Huang L, Harsh J, Cui H, Wu J, Thai J, Zhang X, Cheng L, Wu W. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Balint Groups to Prevent Burnout Among Residents in China. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Feb 11;10:957. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00957. eCollection 2019.

  PMID: 32116808 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burnout, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Psychiatric Nursing

Model Details: This study used a two-arm parallel assignment model in which participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups were followed concurrently, and outcome assessments were conducted at identical time points (baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up). No crossover between groups occurred

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 28, 2025
• First Posted: December 11, 2025
• Study Start: December 20, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 5, 2025
• Study Completion: April 5, 2025
• Last Updated: December 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)