Systematic Review of Exercise Interventions to Enhance the Psychological Well-Being of Nurses.

Abstract

Background: Nurses experience high levels of stress, burnout, and psychological distress, which could negatively affect job satisfaction, retention, and patient care. Exercise-based interventions have emerged as promising approaches to enhance psychological well-being.

Method: A systematic review was conducted, and a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO identified studies focused on nurses and exercise-related interventions. Study quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and data were synthesized narratively.

Results: A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies reported improvements in stress, burnout, anxiety, or psychological well-being, particularly when interventions were structured, were delivered over multiple sessions, and achieved high participant adherence.

Conclusion: Exercise-based interventions show promise for improving nurses' psychological well-being. Continuing professional development must extend beyond clinical competency to include wellness and resilience-building strategies. Embedding and sustaining such initiatives may enhance adoption, strengthen impact, and support health care systems by prioritizing nurses' mental health.