Effect of an online mindfulness program on stress in Indian adults during COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled preliminary study

Mindfulness influences the psycho-social dimension of chronic pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial in Indian context

Background and Aims

In India, the awareness about the psycho-social dimension of chronic pain is minimal among physicians and patients. The research with community-based group therapies (like mindfulness) to address the psycho-social aspects in chronic pain patients remains limited. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to see the effects of mindfulness on pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, chronic pain acceptance, perceived stress, well-being, and mindfulness characteristics.

Materials and Methods

In this two-site, parallel group, clinical trial, 170 patients attending pain outdoors of two government hospitals in West Bengal, India, were randomized to attend five weekly in-person mindfulness sessions (cases) or usual care sessions (controls) within the hospital premises. Pre-program and post-program data were collected and analyzed using statistical methods like repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results

In participants of the mindfulness group, significant changes post session were noted in pain intensity [F(1,326) = 15.0122; P = 0.0001291], pain acceptance [F(1,326) = 4.5311; P = 0.03403], and perceived stress score [F(1,326) = 13.2788; P = 0.0003122] compared to pre-session. The changes in pain catastrophizing, World Health Organization well-being and Freiburg mindfulness inventory scores were non-specific.

Conclusion

Mindfulness had a positive influence on pain intensity, pain acceptance, and perceived stress of Indian chronic pain patients. The effects on pain catastrophizing, mindfulness characteristics, and well-being (non-specific) were also encouraging. Further studies will be required to substantiate these results.

Effectiveness of telehealth interventions on psychological outcomes and quality of life in community adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Physical distancing and contact restrictions have been implemented in most countries and territories due to the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2. This has caused physical, emotional, and psychological distress for adults living in the community. Diversified telehealth interventions have been widely applied in health care and have proven to be cost-effective and well accepted by patients and health professionals. Currently, the effectiveness of telehealth interventions on psychological outcomes and quality of life among community adults during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library from 2019 to October 2022. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials with 3228 subjects were finally included in this review. Two independent reviewers performed the screening, extraction of key data points, and appraisal of the methodological quality. There were positive effects of telehealth interventions on anxiety, stress, loneliness, and well-being among community adults. Participants who were women or older adults were more likely to recover from negative emotions, increase well-being, and improve quality of life. The real-time and interactive interventions and remote cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) may be better choices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the findings of this review, health professionals have more options and alternatives for delivering telehealth interventions in the future. Rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with higher statistical power and long-term follow-up should be conducted in the future to strengthen the currently weak evidence.