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.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an online MBSR intervention in alleviating anxiety and depression among asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 patients under quarantine.
Results Summary
The online MBSR program significantly reduced anxiety and depression scores compared to the control group, with the proportion of severe cases dropping to 0% in the MBSR group. The intervention also increased the proportion of patients with mild symptoms compared to controls.
Population
Asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 patients treated in Sanya Fangcang hospital under quarantine restrictions.
Effective Dosage
Daily sessions for 5 days (specific duration per session not mentioned).
Duration
5 days
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | anxiety scores | asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 patients treated in Sanya Fangcang hospital | η2 = 0.175, p < 0.001 | decreased significantly | #1 |
online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | depression scores | asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 patients treated in Sanya Fangcang hospital | η2 = 0.215, p < 0.001 | decreased significantly | #2 |
online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | proportion of severe anxiety and depression patients | asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 patients treated in Sanya Fangcang hospital | 0% | decreased to 0% | #3 |
online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | increase | proportion of light anxiety and depression patients | asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 patients treated in Sanya Fangcang hospital | - | was significantly more | #4 |
BACKGROUND: As the focal point of epidemic prevention and control, the mental health of COVID-19 patients cannot be ignored. Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) allows for the provision of conveniently accessible, effective and low-cost interventions on a large scale. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of an online MBSR intervention in alleviating anxiety and depression among asymptomatic/mild patients limited by COVID-19-related restrictions. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients treated in Sanya Fangcang hospital were randomly allocated to either to the experimental group (n = 29) following daily, for 5 days, an online-based mindfulness intervention or to the control group (n = 29). Patients from both groups underwent online questionnaires including assessment of anxiety and depression status at pre- and post-tests using Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale. RESULTS: After the online-based MBSR program, the anxiety and depression scores of the patients in the MBSR group decreased significantly in comparison to the scores of those in the control group (respectively η2 = 0.175, η2 = 0.215, p < 0.001). And the proportion of severe anxiety and depression patients in the MBSR group decreased to 0% which lower than the control group, and the proportion of light anxiety and depression patients was significantly more than that in the control group after the MBSR intervention. CONCLUSION: The online-based MBSR intervention appears to be an effective way of alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms among COVID-19 patients with associated quarantine in Fangcang hospital. Given the seriousness of mental health threat that could be posed by this ongoing pandemic, our study provides a new idea and method for cost-effective and time-efficient interventions in the future of epidemic prevention and control.