Mindfulness meditation – a useful intervention for long COVID & ME/CFS
Prof Leonard Jason and Dr Nicole Porter have explored the research into mindfulness meditation to find out if it can help people with post viral conditions like long COVID and ME/CFS.
Mindfulness meditation involves sitting still and focusing exclusively on one’s breath, to hone one’s attention and maximize unmediated direct experience.
According to Kabat-Zinn, “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally”.
They found that “studies of meditation suggest that effective and sustainable outcomes may be achieved for symptomatology and underlying pathology of post-viral fatigue (PASC and ME/CFS).” Much of the research has been done on people with similar dysfunction:
- immune function and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer, AIDS etc
- epigenetics and DNA methylation in autoimmune disorders, sepsis etc.
- neurological and CNS, creating structural and functional changes in the brains of people with sleep dysfunction, depression, anxiety etc.
- mental health improvements in a wide range of conditions
The researchers found that to be most effective it is necessary to carry out a mindfulness intervention for a minimum of 8-10 weeks or undertake a shorter intense program. It is unclear how effective the use of mobile apps are, though they can promote feelings of well-being and social connectedness.
While there are several limitations to the conclusions of mindfulness and meditation studies involving patients with post viral illnesses there are signs it is worthwhile conducting further research.
Mindfulness Meditation Interventions for Long COVID: biobehavioral gene expression and neuroimmune functioning, by Nicole Porter, Leonard A Jason in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Vol 18, 8 November 2022, pp 2599—2626 [doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S379653]
Research abstract:
Some individuals infected with SARS CoV-2 have developed Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC) or what has been referred to as Long COVID. Efforts are underway to find effective treatment strategies for those with Long COVID. One possible approach involves alternative medical interventions, which have been widely used to treat and manage symptoms of a variety of medical problems including post-viral infections.
Meditation has been found to reduce fatigue and unrefreshing sleep, and for those with post-viral infections, it has enhanced immunity, and reduced inflammatory-driven pathogenesis.
Our article summarizes the literature on what is known about mindfulness meditation interventions, and reviews evidence on how it may apply to those with Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
Evidence is reviewed suggesting effective and sustainable outcomes may be achieved for symptomatology and underlying pathology of post-viral fatigue (PASC and ME/CFS).
