Effect of an online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program in Italian healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic-V2

Effect of an online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program in Italian healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Marinella Zingale, Marilena Recupero, Giulio E. Lancioni, Nirbhay N. Singh, Serafino Buono

Abstract
Mindfulness meditation demonstrated efficacy in mitigating the negative effects of stress among healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effects of these practices remain relatively unexplored among professionals working with children or adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program among healthcare professionals in a hospital that experienced a significant COVID-19 outbreak. The study sample consisted of 15 healthcare professionals, 10 of whom had tested positive for COVID-19. Quantitative data were analyzed at three time points: pre-training, post-training, and follow-up. Results revealed a significant reduction in perceived stress, an increase in mindfulness, in health status and psychological well-being from pre-training to post-training. These changes were maintained at follow-up.

Key words: Mindfulness, meditation, stress, well-being, health care professionals, COVID-19 internet-based intervention