Effects of Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Healthcare Professionals’ Burnout: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Burnout, caused by chronic workplace stress, encompasses emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Over half of healthcare professionals experience burnout, leading to increased turnover. Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies are effective in managing burnout. This study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing burnout among healthcare professionals. Methods: We systematically searched eight databases for studies published through May 2024. The eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs evaluating third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies on burnout in healthcare professionals. A meta-analysis was conducted by applying fixed- and random-effects models. Results: A total of 5005 records were identified, of which 29 were reviewed and summarized, and 11 were included in the meta-analysis. Most interventions utilized mindfulness-based techniques (n = 26) with delivery methods including on-site (n = 16), online (n = 12), and hybrid (n = 1) formats. Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies significantly reduced emotional exhaustion (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.686, confidence interval [CI] = −1.237, −0.136, p = 0.0145, I2 = 92.5%) and depersonalization (SMD = −0.529, CI = −0.975, −0.083, p = 0.0202, I2 = 89.3%), but the effect on low personal accomplishment was not statistically significant (SMD = 0.311, 95% CI = −0.319 to 0.941, p = 0.3338, I2 = 89.4%). Conclusions: Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies should be implemented to reduce emotional exhaustion and depersonalization; future research should target low personal accomplishment and explore approaches beyond mindfulness.