Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic: Contemplative practice behaviors are associated with better mental health outcomes and compliance with shelter-in-place orders in a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Psychosocial health can influence the development and experience of several chronic diseases, and has been negatively affected for many individuals amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. To understand the impact of contemplative practices on emotional and mental health during COVID-19, the Stanford WELL for Life Study (US component), incorporated a series of additional surveys into its ongoing study. A total of 1,097 participants residing in California who responded to at least one of three COVID-19 surveys were included in this analysis. Linear and generalized mixed-effects regression models were used to investigate relationships between individual contemplative practice behaviors (CPB) (embodied observing meditation, non-reactive mindfulness meditation, self-compassion cultivation, cultivation of compassion for others) and four psychosocial outcomes measured in the original WELL questionnaire (resilience, dealing with stress, positive emotions, and negative emotions). In addition, the associations between CPB and depression, distress, and compliance with local Shelter-In-Place orders were also investigated. Participants who engaged in any contemplative practice reported significantly more resilience and positive emotions, dealing better with stress, lower distress, and were less likely to report an experience with depression in the last week. Similar findings held when CPB was modeled as a continuous variable. Significant interactions between the duration of the SIP and CPB were also observed for resilience and SIP compliance outcomes, indicating that steeper declines were observed among participants with little or no CPB across the study period. Further investigation into the potential protective benefits of CPB during times of major disruption and uncertainty is warranted.

Use of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Twenty-two studies were conducted in China ( 27 , 31 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 47 , 55 , 62 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ), six in Saudi Arabia ( 18 , 21 – 23 , 25 , 26 ), five in India ( 10 , 41 , 46 , 60 , 61 ), three in the United States ( 35 , 42 , 45 ) and three in Turkey ( 38 , 49 , 66 ), and these were the most frequent countries included in this review. Among the population-based survey studies, thirty-one were conducted through online surveys only ( 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 – 31 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 57 – 62 , 66 , 68 , 74 ), one was an in-person interview ( 56 ), three were telephone interviews ( 10 , 21 , 38 ), and two were both in-person and online surveys ( 19 , 36 ). Among the included studies, usage status of the interventions, including TCM ( n = 22) ( 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , ...…”

“…Among the population-based survey studies, thirty-one were conducted through online surveys only ( 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 – 31 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 57 – 62 , 66 , 68 , 74 ), one was an in-person interview ( 56 ), three were telephone interviews ( 10 , 21 , 38 ), and two were both in-person and online surveys ( 19 , 36 ). Among the included studies, usage status of the interventions, including TCM ( n = 22) ( 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 47 , 55 , 63 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ), functional food (supplements) or herbs ( n = 20) ( 17 – 24 , 29 , 36 , 38 , 43 , 49 – 52 , 57 – 59 ), mind-body practice or spiritual practice ( n = 9) ( 28 , 35 , 42 , 45 , 48 , 54 , 60 , 61 , 74 ), Ayurveda ( n = 2) ( 10 , 41 ), homeopathy ( n = 1) ( ...…”

“…Most of the data for surveys or patient chart reviews were collected during 2020. In approximately half of the studies, TCIM interventions were used for prophylactic purposes ( n = 28) ( 17 – 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 59 , 61 , 62 , 66 , 74 ), and the other half were used for therapeutic purposes ( n = 27) ( 21 , 24 , 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 55 , 58 , 63 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ) ( Table 1 ).…”

“…This might be due to different reasons, including dissatisfaction with the quality of conventional healthcare services ( 85 ). In addition, TCIM interventions such as mind-body practice have been used to maintain psychosocial health in many countries during the pandemic ( 35 , 42 , 45 ). Regarding reasons for the use of TCIM interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to evaluate the underlying reasons by region in future research in detail.…”

Did Mindful People Do Better during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Mindfulness Is Associated with Well-Being and Compliance with Prophylactic Measures

“…Ref. [63] observed that contemplative practice behaviors are associated with lockdown compliance. More generally, cognitive attitudes seem to be a strong predictor of compliance, according to [64].…”