Non-Pharmacological Measures in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of non-pharmacological measures, including mindfulness practice, on improving mental health and immune response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness practice, along with other non-pharmacological measures, had positive effects on mental health and immune response, contributing to better quality of life during the pandemic.
Population
General population affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
stress and sleep control | increase | health | human beings during a pandemic | - | can significantly contribute to staying healthy | #1 |
physical activity | increase | health | human beings during a pandemic | - | can significantly contribute to staying healthy | #2 |
contact with nature | increase | health | human beings during a pandemic | - | can significantly contribute to staying healthy | #3 |
stress and sleep control | increase | immune response to the virus and its consequences | - | - | possible positive impact | #4 |
forest bathing | increase | immune response to the virus and its consequences | - | - | possible positive impact | #5 |
stress and sleep control | increase | human mental health and the immune system | - | - | positive effects | #6 |
diet and eating habits | increase | human mental health and the immune system | - | - | positive effects | #7 |
contact with nature (forest bathing, gardening) | increase | human mental health and the immune system | - | - | positive effects | #8 |
virtual communication | increase | human mental health and the immune system | - | - | positive effects | #9 |
meditation (mindfulness practice) | increase | human mental health and the immune system | - | - | positive effects | #10 |
non-pharmacological measures | increase | all aspects of health | patients during the COVID-19 pandemic | - | positive effects | #11 |
stress and sleep control | increase | immune response to COVID-19 | - | - | may improve | #12 |
spending time in nature | increase | immune response to COVID-19 | - | - | may improve | #13 |
healthy diet | increase | immune response to COVID-19 | - | - | may improve | #14 |
physical activity | increase | immune response to COVID-19 | - | - | may improve | #15 |
BACKGROUND: Previous pandemic and catastrophic events significantly changed the life of every human being, bringing him/her into a state of stress and the need to quickly adapt to new ways of daily activity. COVID-19 has a negative impact on all elements of health: social, physical and mental. Pharmacotherapy, as well as protective measures (isolation, wearing masks and maintaining physical distance) did not give the expected results. Vaccination has not yet led to herd immunity, so it is still jeopardizing every aspect of human health (1, 2). Non-pharmacological methods, such as stress and sleep control, physical activity and contact with nature are of great importance since they can significantly contribute to staying healthy during a pandemic. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of non-pharmacological measures such as stress and sleep control (with different measures against the negative effects of anxiety and depression on mental state) and the possible positive impact of "forest bathing" on improving the immune response to the virus and its consequences. METHODS: Available evidence-based studies on ways to com- bat stress and the effect of the proposed measures on human mental health and the im- mune system were analyzed. From the mentioned studies, recommended measures have been registered, which refer to stress and sleep control, diet and eating habits, contact with nature ("forest bathing", gardening), virtual communication and meditation (mindfulness practice). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The combined results of these studies indicate that COVID-19 has a chronic course and complications that significantly affect the physical, mental and emotional state of the patient. Proven positive effects of non-pharmacological measures can be applied in the daily practice of primary health care in the comprehensive fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Non-pharmacological measures such as stress and sleep control, spending time in nature, healthy diet, and physical activity may improve the immune response to COVID-19. These measures, with their positive effects on all aspects of health, can make a major contribution to controlling and improving the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.