Chen CL, Liu WM, Cai RP, Zhong YX, Liang M. Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy-based group intervention on burnout and anxiety symptoms in operating room nurses. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 118844 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.118844]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Min Liang, Department of Operating Room, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China. liangmin20040221@126.com
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Psychiatry
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Chen CL, Liu WM, Cai RP, Zhong YX, Liang M. Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy-based group intervention on burnout and anxiety symptoms in operating room nurses. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 118844 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.118844]
World J Psychiatry. Aug 19, 2026; 16(8): 118844 Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.118844
Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy-based group intervention on burnout and anxiety symptoms in operating room nurses
Chun-Ling Chen, Wen-Mei Liu, Rui-Ping Cai, You-Xian Zhong, Min Liang
Chun-Ling Chen, Wen-Mei Liu, Rui-Ping Cai, Min Liang, Department of Operating Room, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China
You-Xian Zhong, Department of Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China
Co-first authors: Chun-Ling Chen and Wen-Mei Liu.
Author contributions: Chen CL and Liu WM are co-first authors of this article. Chen CL and Liu WM contributed to study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and manuscript writing; Cai RP participated in intervention implementation and data collection; Zhong YX contributed to study design and manuscript revision; Liang M was responsible for research supervision, manuscript review, and final approval. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: This study was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (Approval No. SKSKY-2025-1004-01).
Informed consent statement: Given the retrospective nature of the study and the use of de-identified data collected during routine clinical practice, the requirement for written informed consent was waived by the ethics committee. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant institutional guidelines.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Data sharing statement: The de-identified data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Min Liang, Department of Operating Room, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China. liangmin20040221@126.com
Received: February 6, 2026 Revised: March 23, 2026 Accepted: May 25, 2026 Published online: August 19, 2026 Processing time: 162 Days and 23.1 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Operating room nurses are vulnerable to burnout and mental health issues related to high-intensity workloads, the complexity of technical operations, and the immense pressure of responsibility. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven effective in the treatment of burnout and anxiety, there is a dearth of systematic research on option B, CBT-based group interventions targeting operating room nurses, as well as insufficient evidence for its long-term effects.
AIM
To evaluate the effects of CBT-based group intervention on burnout and anxiety symptoms in operating room nurses.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 90 operating room nurses in our hospital from January 2024 to January 2025. The intervention group (n = 46) received an 8-week structured CBT group intervention, while the control group (n = 44) received routine management. The intervention included psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, stress management, and problem-solving training, conducted once weekly for 90-120 minutes per session. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention (week 8), and 3 months post-intervention using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Nurse Job Satisfaction Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale.
RESULTS
No significant differences were found in any indicators between the two groups at baseline (P > 0.05). At post-intervention, the intervention group showed lower scores in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey total score compared to the control group, and higher scores in professional efficacy (P < 0.001); Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores were lower than the control group (P < 0.001); job satisfaction and General Self-Efficacy Scale scores were higher than the control group (P < 0.001). At 3 months post-intervention, these differences persisted (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
CBT-based group intervention can improve burnout and anxiety symptoms in operating room nurses, enhance sleep quality, job satisfaction, and self-efficacy, with effects maintained up to 3 months post-intervention.
Core Tip: This study indicates that an 8-week group intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy leads to a significant reduction in burnout, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as well as improvement of sleep quality, job satisfaction, and self-efficacy. Importantly, the positive effects were preserved for at least three months post-closing of the intervention. Overall, the study demonstrates that brief structured cognitive behavioral therapy group programs are feasible and effective for clinical implementation of mental health support to operating room nurses.
