Meditation Helps Medical Professionals to Cope with COVID Stress

Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Published On 2022-09-12 03:45 GMT | Update On 2022-09-12 03:45 GMT

During the past year and a half of the COVID crisis, Medical professionals have been hit hard by the pandemic- related stress and burnout. Initially, there was uncertainty regarding the cure for the disease, causing anxiety in general. Then there was stress caused by overwork from continuously dealing with incoming patients and long, consistent work shifts through day and night.

To overcome this issue,an open-label single-arm trial was done where the researchers assessed changes in sleep, heart rate variability (HRV), and vitals before and after a 4-day online breath meditation workshop among 41 Medical Practioners at a tertiary care hospital in northern India during COVID-19 pandemic.

Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the 4-day workshop using a ballistocardiography-based contactless health monitoring device. The workshop was conducted online.

The results of the trial showed that there was a highly significant increase seen in total sleep duration and duration of deep sleep, rapid eye movement sleep, as well as light sleep. However, no significant change was observed in breath rate, total time awake, or in the low-frequency by high-frequency spectrum of heart rate variability .

Hence, the researchers concluded that four days of online breath meditation workshop did improve sleep and heart rate variability among Medical professionals, strengthening the fact that yoga and meditation can help induce psychophysical relaxation and prove to be an effective tool to combat stress and sleep deprivation. As the stakeholders in patient care, that is, the Medical professionals if they are healthy, it will further improve patient care and reduce the chance of medical errors.

Reference: Pathania M, Bhardwaj P, Bahurupi YA, et al. Effect of 4-day Online Breath Meditation Workshop on Ballistocardiography-based Sleep and Cardiac Health Assessments among Medical Professionals of a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India during COVID-19. J Assoc Physicians India

2022;70(9):49–56.

Full View

Article Source : Journal Association Physicians India

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Dr. Nandita Mohan

Dr. Nandita Mohan is a practicing pediatric dentist with more than 5 years of clinical work experience. Along with this, she is equally interested in keeping herself up to date about the latest developments in the field of medicine and dentistry which is the driving force for her to be in association with Medical Dialogues. She also has her name attached with many publications; both national and international. She has pursued her BDS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and later went to enter her dream specialty (MDS) in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry from Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences. Through all the years of experience, her core interest in learning something new has never stopped. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Meditation Helps Medical Professionals to Cope with COVID Stress

Similar News

Study Reveals Potassium-Rich Foods May Lower Irregular Heartbeat Risk

Study Reveals Daily Intake of Five Mushrooms May Reduce Alzheimer's and Heart Disease Risk

Managing Nasal Congestion in Allergic Rhinitis: Whats the Mechanism of Action of Allegra D ?

The Prediabetes Show, Episode 4: Metformin in Prediabetes - A Vaccination Pill for Diabetes Prevention in 65 Countries

WHO-Endorsed Mosquito Repellent Cuts Malaria Risk by Over 50 Percent: Study Finds

The Prediabetes Show Episode 3 - Tackling Patient Conversations around Prediabetes and Metformin

Groundbreaking New Study Shows Cells Can Revive From Death, Promote Tissue Regeneration

Can Catching a Cold Help You Avoid COVID? New Research Says Yes