Mindfulness Improves Awareness and Cortisol Levels During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Randomised Controlled Trial in Healthcare Workers.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) September 27, 2025 Anna Panzeri, Ornella Bettinardi, Fabio Giommi et al.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals faced high work-related stress that harmed their mental health and patient care. An 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, tested in a randomized controlled trial, reduced cortisol levels in the short term and improved attention and awareness, with benefits lasting through follow-up. Medium to medium-large effects on job strain and emotional fatigue were observed but did not reach statistical significance, and perceived stress changed negligibly. The variability in stress responses suggests personalized mindfulness approaches may be needed. MBSR shows promise for improving attention and reducing physiological stress markers, though effects on other occupational outcomes remain uncertain.