Resilience programs showed average stress benefits, with substantial uncertainty
Pooled results suggested less stress and greater resilience, but differences between studies and high risk of bias limit confidence in the average findings.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled findings suggested reduced stress and increased resilience among medical students after resilience interventions. The authors described the average stress effect as moderate. Confidence is limited because studies varied substantially, risk of bias was high, and there were signs of publication bias. The results do not establish that a particular program will produce similar changes in another student group.
This abstract-based summary cannot identify which program formats or comparison conditions produced the pooled effects. Follow-up lengths are also unreported, and the broad prediction intervals leave uncertainty about effects in future settings.
What researchers found
Moderate standardized effect on stress
Authors interpreted this as stress reduction. Comparator and follow-up timing were not reported. 95% prediction interval: -0.96 to 2.02.
What the stress estimate means
The authors described the pooled stress effect as moderate. It uses a standardized scale to summarize study results, rather than reporting how many students improved or a percentage reduction in stress.
Why the average needs context
The prediction intervals for stress and resilience included effects in opposing directions. Together with substantial differences between studies, these ranges make the pooled average an uncertain guide to what another student group might experience.
The original publication
The effect of resilience training on resilience and stress in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Sperling EL, Manion B, Gresner E et al.
BMC Med Educ · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41316127
- Record checked
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