Utilization of Mind–Body Intervention for Integrative Health Care of COVID-19 Patients and Survivors

Abstract

Recent findings suggest a correlation between COVID-19 and diabetes, although the underlying causes are still little understood. COVID-19 infection tends to induce severe symptoms in patients with underlying diabetes, increasing their mortality rate. Moreover, COVID-19 itself appears to be a diabetogenic factor. In addition, mental health conditions, such as depression due to lockdown and anxiety about infection, were found to affect glycemic control and immunity, highlighting the importance of mental health care during the pandemic. Mind–Body Intervention (MBI), which includes meditation, yoga, and qigong, has emerged as a tool for mental health management due to its effects on stress reduction and the promotion of mental and physical well-being. Here, we review the latest randomized controlled trials to determine the effects of MBI on glycemic control and the immune system and discuss the underlying mechanisms by which MBI facilitates the virtuous cycle of stress management, glycemic control, and immune modulation. Furthermore, we examine the actual utilization of MBI during the COVID-19 pandemic era through recent studies. With proper online education, non-pharmacological MBI may be more widely used as an important tool for self-health care that complements the usual treatment of COVID-19 patients and survivors.

The Challenge of Long COVID-19 Management: From Disease Molecular Hallmarks to the Proposal of Exercise as Therapy

“…It is important to underline that exercise is a unique strategy able to induce multiple positive effects on many organs simultaneously, contrary to drugs or other medications [ 14 ]. In this context, mind–body interventions such as Tai-Chi, yoga, and meditation could also integrate into the plan of training because of their important role in stress management and immune system modulation [ 131 ]. In light of current evidence, investigating molecular effects of exercise and protocols’ safety in long COVID-19 patients could be a promising perspective.…”