Abstract
Effectiveness of Mindfulness for Psychological Distress and Sleep Disturbances in the Post-COVID Population.
DR. ANJUM PADYAL, DHRUMI PATEL
Laboratory Name; Kinesiology Department; California State University,Northridge; Northridge, CA
Category: Masters
Advisor / Mentor: Padyal, Anjum (anjum.padyal@csun.edu)
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with heightened stress, anxiety, depression, and widespread sleep disturbances among adults. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly promoted as non-pharmacological strategies to improve psychological health.PURPOSE: This review aims to determine whether MBIs are effective in reducing psychological distress and improving sleep quality among adults in the post-COVID era compared to standard care or no intervention.. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CSUN One Search, Cochrane Library, and Scopus identified peer-reviewed articles published from January 2020 onward. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) in the post-COVID era who received mindfulness-based interventions (MBSR, meditation, app-based training) compared with standard care or no intervention. Primary outcomes included validated measures of psychological distress (GAD-7, PHQ-9, PSS), and secondary outcomes included sleep quality indices (PSQI, ISI). Data extracted included study design, population, intervention type, comparator, outcomes, and effect sizes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool for randomized trials. Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Interventions ranged from 4 to 12 weeks and included group-based MBSR, guided meditation, and app-delivered mindfulness training. Compared with standard care or no intervention, MBIs were associated with moderate reductions in psychological distress (pooled SMD ≈ –0.45, 95% CI –0.70 to –0.20) and significant improvements in sleep quality (pooled SMD ≈ –0.40, 95% CI –0.65 to –0.15). Heterogeneity across studies was low to moderate (I² = 32%). Subgroup analyses suggested larger effects in structured, ≥8-week interventions and among healthcare workers compared to general adult populations. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing psychological distress and improving sleep quality among adults in the post-COVID era. The benefits appear to be greater for structured programs lasting at least eight weeks and for healthcare workers compared to the general population. These findings support mindfulness as a scalable, non-pharmacological strategy to promote mental health and well-being following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recommended Citation
PADYAL, ANJUM Dr.
(2025)
"Effectiveness of Mindfulness for Psychological Distress and Sleep Disturbances in the Post-COVID Population.,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 10.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/10