Effects of different intervention methods on psychological anxiety, stress, and fatigue among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy and other interventions on reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results Summary
The meta-analysis showed mixed results, with small and non-significant effects for anxiety (MD: -0.53) and stress (MD: 0.13 post-treatment, -0.44 pre-post difference), and inconsistent outcomes for fatigue across different MBI indices. Mindfulness was the most commonly used intervention but lacked conclusive evidence of efficacy.
Population
Medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (1,466 participants across 9 studies).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based therapy | decrease | anxiety status | healthcare workers during COVID-19 | -0.53 (95% CI: -1.42, 0.37) | meta-analysis revealed a pooled mean difference | #1 |
mindfulness-based therapy | no change | stress status | healthcare workers during COVID-19 | 0.13 (95% CI: -0.39, 0.65) | meta-analysis results showed a post-treatment MD | #2 |
mindfulness-based therapy | decrease | stress status | healthcare workers during COVID-19 | -0.44 (95% CI: -2.65, 1.76) | meta-analysis results showed a pre- and post-treatment difference MD | #3 |
mindfulness-based therapy | decrease | MBI Emotional index | healthcare workers during COVID-19 | -6.13 (95% CI: -16.68, 4.43) | meta-analysis results showed an MD | #4 |
mindfulness-based therapy | increase | Personal Accomplishment index | healthcare workers during COVID-19 | 5.04 (95% CI: -3.25, 13.33) | meta-analysis results showed an MD | #5 |
mindfulness-based therapy | decrease | Depersonalization index | healthcare workers during COVID-19 | -1.68 (95% CI: -6.50, 3.13) | meta-analysis results showed an MD | #6 |
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the treatment effects of various intervention methods on the stress, anxiety, and fatigue of medical workers during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted computer searches in both Chinese and English databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wang Fang), VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ScienceDirect to include prospective randomized controlled studies (Prospective RCT) published before September 30, 2023, regarding different treatment methods for stress, anxiety, and fatigue among healthcare workers during COVID-19. Data on anxiety, stress, and fatigue of research participants were extracted from the included studies, followed by statistical analysis of treatment effects using R software with the meta package. RESULTS: A total of 9 articles were eventually included, involving a total of 1,466 participants, including 686 in the control group and 780 in the study group. Intervention measures included mindfulness-based therapy in 4 studies and other intervention methods in 5. The anxiety status of the health workers was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the meta-analysis revealed a pooled mean difference (MD) of -0.53 (95% CI: -1.42, 0.37). Stress status was evaluated by Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4), and the meta-analysis results showed a post-treatment MD of 0.13 (95% CI: -0.39, 0.65), with a pre- and post-treatment difference MD of -0.44 (95% CI: -2.65, 1.76). Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was employed for the evaluation of fatigue. The meta-analysis results showed an MD of -6.13 (95% CI: -16.68, 4.43) for the MBI Emotional index, an MD of 5.04 (95% CI: -3.25, 13.33) for the Personal Accomplishment index, and an MD of -1.68 (95% CI: -6.50, 3.13) for the Depersonalization index. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining the mental health of frontline health workers is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, and mindfulness-based therapy is the most extensively employed psychological intervention method. However, its effectiveness requires further research confirmation.