The levels and related factors of mental workload among nurses: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Aim The aim was to determine the overall levels and related factors of mental workload assessed using the NASA‐TLX tool among nurses. Background Mental workload is a key element that affects nursing performance. However, there exists no review regarding mental workload assessed using the NASA‐TLX tool, focusing on nurses. Design A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data Sources PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, CNKI, CBM, Weipu and WanFang databases were searched from 1 January 1998 to 30 February 2022. Review Methods Following the PRISMA statement recommendations, review methods resulted in 31 quantitative studies retained for inclusion which were evaluated with the evaluation criteria for observational studies as recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The data were pooled and a random‐effects meta‐analysis conducted. Results Findings showed the pooled mental workload score was 65.24, and the pooled prevalence of high mental workload was 54%. Subgroup analysis indicated nurses in developing countries and emergency departments experienced higher mental workloads, and the mental workloads of front‐line nurses increased significantly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Conclusion These findings highlight that nurses experience high mental workloads as assessed using the NASA‐TLX tool and there is an urgent need to explore interventions to decrease their mental workloads.