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Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an online mindful walking intervention among COVID-19 long haulers: A mixed methods study including daily diary surveys.

PLOS digital health
April 1, 2025
Abhishek Aggarwal et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to test the feasibility and initial impact of a digitally delivered mindful-walking intervention for improving the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of COVID-19 long haulers.

Results Summary

Participants reported improved psychosocial moods (more positive affect, less negative affect), higher perceived cognitive ability, increased physical activity, and higher levels of momentary mindfulness. The intervention showed high acceptability and preliminary efficacy for mental wellbeing and physical activity.

Population

COVID-19 long haulers (23 participants recruited via Facebook groups).

Effective Dosage

2 mindfulness practice sessions per week.

Duration

4 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
feasibility
COVID-19 long haulers
mean=4.93/7, SD=1.88
reported a high feasibility score
#1
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
positive affect
COVID-19 long haulers
β=0.89, p<0.01
frequently reported better psychosocial moods with more positive affect
#2
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
decrease
negative affect
COVID-19 long haulers
β=-0.83, p<0.01
frequently reported better psychosocial moods with less negative affect
#3
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
perceived cognitive ability
COVID-19 long haulers
β=0.52, p<0.05
frequently reported higher perceived cognitive ability
#4
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
physical activity
COVID-19 long haulers
β=0.41, p<0.05
frequently reported more physical activity
#5
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
momentary mindfulness
COVID-19 long haulers
β=0.3 p<0.01
reported higher levels of momentary mindfulness
#6
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
symptom management
COVID-19 long haulers
-
expressed satisfaction with the intervention, reporting benefits such as better symptom management
#7
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
wellbeing
COVID-19 long haulers
-
expressed satisfaction with the intervention, reporting an overall improvement in wellbeing
#8
digital delivery of our MW intervention via Facebook
increase
acceptability
COVID-19 long haulers
-
showed high acceptability
#9
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
mental wellbeing
COVID-19 long haulers
-
Preliminary efficacy findings indicate improved mental wellbeing
#10
digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention
increase
physical activity
COVID-19 long haulers
-
Preliminary efficacy findings indicate improved physical activity
#11
Abstract

COVID-19 long haulers face profound psychosocial stressors (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD) and physical health challenges (e.g., brain fog, fatigue). This study tests the feasibility and initial impact of a digitally delivered mindful-walking (MW) intervention for improving the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of COVID-19 long haulers. We recruited 23 participants via Facebook groups, between March and November 2021, for a 4-week online MW intervention (i.e., 2 mindfulness practice sessions per week), that was delivered entirely through the study Facebook group. The intervention was assessed using mixed methods. Quantitative data were collected through brief daily evening surveys (i.e., 28 days) over the 4-week intervention period, and measured affect, cognition, mindfulness, physical activity, and MW engagement. Qualitative data were extracted from the Facebook group's Paradata (i.e., participant feedback, engagement metrics, and all social media interactions). Multilevel modeling was employed for the statistical analysis and a pragmatic approach was used for the qualitative analysis. The participants reported a high feasibility score (mean=4.93/7, SD=1.88), which was comprised of perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use. Those who engaged in MW, on any given day, frequently reported better psychosocial moods with more positive affect (β=0.89, p<0.01), less negative affect (β=-0.83, p<0.01), higher perceived cognitive ability (β=0.52, p<0.05), and more physical activity (β=0.41, p<0.05). Additionally, participants who practiced MW more consistently during the study reported higher levels of momentary mindfulness (β=0.3 p<0.01). Participants expressed satisfaction with the intervention, reporting benefits such as better symptom management and an overall improvement in wellbeing. Despite the small sample size, the digital delivery of our MW intervention via Facebook showed high acceptability. Preliminary efficacy findings indicate improved mental wellbeing and physical activity among long haulers. Larger-scale RCTs are needed in the future to improve the robustness and applicability of findings.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.15
Normalized Score0.63
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