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. 2022 Jul-Aug;64(4):401-407.
doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_4_21. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

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

Anirban Pal  1 , Purnava Mukhopadhyay  2 , Soma Datta  3 , Nidhi Dawar Pal  4
Affiliations

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

Anirban Pal et al. Indian J Psychiatry. 2022 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: The Indian population is suffering from a high prevalence of mental stress and the situation has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness, which can also be conducted online, has been used as a stress-relieving therapy in the Western world. There is not much experience with mindfulness in the Indian population. The COVID-19 pandemic demands the development of alternative therapies which can reach out to the masses at a minimal cost, avoiding direct personal contact. The researchers wanted to explore the potential of mindfulness as a stress-relieving therapy.

Aim: To note any improvement in perceived stress of the participants compared to the controls.

Methods: Ninety apparently healthy adults were randomized into group M (all of whom participated in an online mindfulness program) and group C (all of whom attended placebo sessions), with 45 participants each. Final sample size was n = 42 (group M) and n = 38 (group C). The perceived stress was measured using the perceived stress scale before and after the program. Qualitative data was collected in the form of written responses to the question "Which aspect of mindfulness meditation appealed to you the most for stress relief?" and some themes were formed.

Results: There was a significant decrease in perceived stress scale scores on completion of the program in group M. "Positive mental state" and "non-judgmental" were the most prominent emergent themes suggested by the participants, as per the qualitative data analysis.

Conclusion: This preliminary study sees potential in an online mindfulness program as an alternative stress-relieving therapy. Further research is suggested to substantiate the results and optimize the implementation.

Keywords: Alternative therapy; COVID19 pandemic; mindfulness; stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Recruitment of study subjects
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representation of mean PSS scores pre and post session of group M and group C
Figure 3
Figure 3
Qualitative data analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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