Mindfulness Improves Awareness and Cortisol Levels During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Randomised Controlled Trial in Healthcare Workers.
Anna Panzeri, Ornella Bettinardi, Fabio Giommi, Maddalena Grassi, Massimo Rossetti, Pasqua Barile, Barbara Del Bello, Concetta Gardi
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) September 27, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13192455 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthcare professionals |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, follow-up period not specified |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Attention and awareness Clinical psychology Randomized controlled trial Stress biomarkers |
| Key findings | An 8-week MBSR intervention significantly reduced cortisol levels in the short term and improved attention and awareness among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Abstract
Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare professionals (HCPs) faced extremely high levels of work-related stress, which negatively affected their mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs can help mitigate these challenges.
Method: A randomised controlled trial design was used to evaluate the effects of an 8-week MBSR intervention on stress-related outcomes among HCPs compared with a control group. The comprehensive assessment included cortisol levels, perceived stress, attention and awareness, emotional fatigue, and job strain.
Results: The MBSR intervention significantly reduced cortisol levels in the short term and improved attention and awareness, with sustained benefits during follow-up. Medium to medium-large effect sizes were observed for job strain and emotional fatigue, although statistical significance was not achieved. Similarly, perceived stress showed negligible changes over time. The variability in stress responses highlights the importance of personalised approaches to mindfulness interventions.
Discussion: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, MBSR is promising for improving attention and awareness and reducing physiological stress markers in HCPs, although its effects on other occupational outcomes remain uncertain. Future research should focus on longer interventions to maximise the benefits of mindfulness practices in healthcare settings.