National Internet-Based Survey of the Use, Barriers, Reasons and Beliefs of Mind-Body Practices During the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to learn about the use, barriers, reasons and beliefs regarding mind-body practices among adults living in the United States during the beginning months of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. An on-line survey was developed following the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet e-Surveys (CHERRIES) guidelines and using the online survey software program, Qualtrics® XM, platform. Pilot testing of the survey was conducted for usability and functionality. The final 24-item survey was distributed via email and social media. A total of 338 adults responded to the survey, with 68.8% indicating that they participated in mind-body activities since the start of the pandemic. Physical activity was the most frequently (61.5%, n = 227) used mind-body practice. Further, 2 of the common barriers to engaging in mind-body practices were lack of motivation and wandering mind. Frequently listed reasons for using mind-body practices were to promote health, reduce stress and relaxation. Respondents believed that mind-body practices resulted in less stress. These findings may be applicable for reducing psychological stress related to the pandemic, as the pandemic continues to impact many areas of the United States.

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.…”

Prevalence and predictive factors of complementary medicine use during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 in the Netherlands

“…Previous studies have already shown that mind–body practices, such as yoga and meditation have beneficial effects on mental health and reduce stress in different populations and circumstances [ 47 – 51 ]. A study performed in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported an increased use of mind–body practices with promoting health, reducing stress and relaxation reported as the three most important reasons [ 52 ]. As we found that worries to get infected was an important predictive factor for the use of all CM modalities and 74.6% of the respondents indicated to use self-help techniques including yoga and meditation to promote general well-being, this implies that reducing stress and psychological concerns with respect to COVID-19 could play a role.…”