Knitting: A simple and effective intervention for surgeon wellbeing

• Published in: The American journal of surgery 2023-09, Vol.226 (3), p.400-401
• Main Authors: Zhang, Rosaline S., Gast, Katherine M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anorexia; Blood pressure; Burnout; Cognitive ability; Eating disorders; Emotional regulation; Emotions; Heart rate; Intervention; Knitting; Laparoscopy; Manual dexterity; Mental health; Mindfulness; Needlework; Skills; Stress; Suicidal behavior; Surgeons; Yarn
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.04.018

While the benefits of knitting have thus far not been examined in the surgery literature, there is strong evidence suggesting knitting to be an accessible and effective way to promote physical, mental and emotional health.3 Anxiety and stress reduction Multiple studies have shown that hobbies and exercise are significantly protective against depression and psychiatric distress among surgeons.2 The repetitive physical movements of knitting elicits the “relaxation response” described by the Harvard Mind Body Institute's Dr. Herbert Benson – decreasing heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension.3 In a cohort study of women receiving knitting lessons as part of inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa, 32% reported benefits of meditative movements of the hand, 74% reported increased relaxation and comfort, and 54% reported reduced stress.44 Emotional regulation and mindfulness Operating room cognitive stress and retention of laparoscopic skills can be improved with mental skills curriculum focusing on emotional regulation and mindfulness techniques.5 Knitting can help to regulate emotions to promote more positive rather than negative emotions, especially in stressful situations. There is some evidence to suggest that prior experience in manual hobbies can provide advantage in dexterity and learning surgical skills.8 Additionally, surgical residents who underwent comprehensive stress management training demonstrated greater technical accuracy in a high stress environment.9 Thus, knitting has the potential to optimize surgeon technical performance both through manual dexterity practice and its ability to improve mindfulness and emotional regulation, as previously discussed.6 Conclusion and implementation pearls Addressing the crisis of burnout and stress among surgeons will require comprehensive and systems-wide changes. [...]colleagues, friends or family members who are knitters welcome opportunities to teach and share this skill.