Does the practice of mindfulness reduce somatic symptoms and COVID-19-related anxiety? A community-based survey.
Noemi Micheli, Piero Porcelli, Marion Barrault-Couchouron, Cécile Dantzer
Frontiers in Psychology 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.996559 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Descriptive cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 569 |
| Population | Adults living in France during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (mean age 39.8 years, 90% women) |
| Measures | MAAS |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Covid-19 anxiety Dispositional mindfulness Emotional regulation strategies Mindfulness practice Somatic symptoms |
| Key findings | COVID-19-related anxiety was associated with higher somatic symptoms, generalized anxiety, and depression, with 56% of participants reporting moderate to severe somatic symptoms. Participants with less mindfulness experience reported significantly more somatic symptoms and more rumination than non-practitioners, and no differences in dispositional mindfulness (MAAS) were found between beginners and advanced practitioners. The authors suggest that limited mindfulness experience may not protect against somatic symptoms during the pandemic and that training emphasizing mindful acceptance may help. |
Abstract
Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have shown an increase of psychological distress in the general population. Previous research demonstrated that high levels of anxiety are associated with reporting more somatic symptoms. The ability to adaptively regulate emotions is essential to deal with stressful situations, and it is one of the main components of mindfulness practice. The aim of the present study was to document the effect of mindfulness practice on somatic symptoms and psychological distress in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The study has a descriptive cross-sectional design. During the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, between November 2020 and January 2021 participants living in France responded to an online survey on the impact of COVID-19 on psychological distress and physical health. The questionnaire included the assessment of COVID-19-related anxiety, mindfulness practice and experience, dispositional mindfulness, somatization, depression, generalized anxiety, and emotion regulation. A total of 569 people (mean age = 39.8 years, 90% women) were included in the study. COVID-19 related anxiety was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms, generalized anxiety, and depression. About half of the sample (n = 318, 56%) reported moderate to severe somatic symptoms that were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, lower levels of dispositional mindfulness and to the use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. Overall, 164 subjects (28.8%) reported practicing meditation. No differences were found in dispositional mindfulness (MAAS score) between beginners and advanced practitioners, regardless of the type, years, frequency, and length of practice. Participants with less experience in mindfulness practice reported a significant higher number of somatic symptoms than non-practitioners and a higher use of rumination. Moreover, mindfulness experience was associated with the use of more adaptive emotion regulation strategies. Mindfulness meditation has been promoted as a practice enhancing well-being and helping to cope with the psychological impact of stressful events. However, in a distressing situation as COVID-19 pandemic, a limited experience in mindfulness practices might result in the development or endurance of somatic symptoms. Adequate training and a focus on mindful acceptance, may contribute to enhance the effectiveness of mindfulness practice.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effects of a Body-Based Mindfulness Program on Alexithymia, Dispositional Mindfulness, and Distress Symptoms: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Behavioral Sciences January 8, 2025
- Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Perceived Stress, Somatic Symptoms and Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Clinical Nurses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 2026
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Reducing Somatization and Attachment Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Personality and Psychosomatic Research 2023
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