Mindfulness-based online intervention for mental health during times of COVID-19.
Paul Alan Arkin Alvarado-García, Marilú Roxana Soto-Vásquez, Luis Enrique Rosales-Cerquín
Indian Journal of Psychiatry May 1, 2022 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_642_21 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 62 |
| Population | Adults during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Duration | 12 sessions |
| Measures | Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Stress Mental health |
| Key findings | An online 12-session mindfulness program reduced anxiety, depression, and stress compared with a waiting-list control group, with significant differences between groups and study phases (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were moderate for anxiety (d = 0.849) and depression (d = 0.533) and larger for stress (d = 1.254). The authors conclude mindfulness shows potential for reducing these symptoms in stressful situations such as the pandemic. |
Abstract
Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, mental health begins to be affected. In this sense, practical and low-cost solutions are necessary to minimize the impact on the population.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of a mindfulness-based online intervention for mental health during times of COVID-19.
Method: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with pre-test and post-test measurements in a sample of 62 participants divided into an experimental group whose members were administered a 12-session mindfulness online program, and a control group on the waiting list. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to assess anxiety, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) to measure depression, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) to determine stress levels.
Results: The levels of anxiety, depression, and stress decreased after the intervention, finding significant differences between the groups and study phases (P < 0.05). In addition, moderate changes in anxiety (d = 0.849, g = 0.847) and depression (d = 0.533, g = 0.530) were found, as well as important changes in stress reduction (d = 1.254, g = 1.240).
Conclusion: There is evidence of a potential for the use of mindfulness program to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in stressful situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study in college students. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness on Student Anxiety and Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nursing & health sciences December 1, 2024
- Effect of the Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Anxiety and Depression Status of COVID-19 Patients Treated in Fangcang Hospitals: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychology Research and Behavior Management 2023
Cites 6
- How Does Mindfulness Training Affect Health? A Mindfulness Stress Buffering Account Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2014
- Mechanisms of Mindfulness in the General Population Mindfulness July 1, 2018
- Online mindfulness-enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a pilot trial Internet Interventions June 22, 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression Psychiatric Clinics of North America September 18, 2017
- Effects of preventive online mindfulness interventions on stress and mindfulness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Preventive Medicine Reports March 9, 2017
and 1 more in the library