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

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: 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. <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results</b>: 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 (<i>n</i> = 26) with delivery methods including on-site (<i>n</i> = 16), online (<i>n</i> = 12), and hybrid (<i>n</i> = 1) formats. Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies significantly reduced emotional exhaustion (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.686, confidence interval [CI] = -1.237, -0.136, <i>p</i> = 0.0145, I² = 92.5%) and depersonalization (SMD = -0.529, CI = -0.975, -0.083, <i>p</i> = 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, <i>p</i> = 0.3338, I² = 89.4%). <b>Conclusions</b>: 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.