Trabalhadoras da saúde face à pandemia: por uma análise sociológica do trabalho de cuidado / Female healthcare workers and the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil: a sociological analysis of healthcare work

Resumo Este texto tem como finalidade discutir o cuidado de trabalhadoras da área da saúde em face da Covid-19, sob a análise sociológica de autoras que o vêm discutindo enquanto um trabalho que é desempenhado, na sua maioria, pelas mulheres das classes populares, é desvalorizado e sofre baixa remuneração. É uma atividade que envolve as construções sociais das emoções e tem utilizado o corpo como um instrumento de trabalho no cuidado com o outro. Além disso, a precarização do trabalho em saúde na sociedade brasileira acirrada nas últimas décadas, como o aumento de contratos temporários, perdas de direitos trabalhistas, a sobrecarga das atividades, condições de trabalho precárias, dentre outros, soma-se com o aumento dos atendimentos médico-hospitalares diante da pandemia da Covid-19. Neste contexto, as trabalhadoras em saúde vivenciam as ausências de equipamentos de proteção individual, medo de contaminação pelo vírus, preocupações com filhos e familiares, vivências diante da morte e do adoecimento de si e de colegas de profissão. Este texto aponta para a necessidade de atenção governamental, bem como para a gestão do trabalho em saúde e dos órgãos de classe profissional, analisando as condições de trabalho que as trabalhadoras em saúde estão vivendo no enfrentamento da pandemia.

Abstract The article aims to discuss the care provided by female healthcare workers in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic, based on a sociological analysis by authors who discuss such care as devalued and poorly paid work performed to a large extent by low-income women. The work involves social constructions of emotions and has used the body as a work instrument in care for others. In addition, the increasingly precarious nature of health work in Brazilian society, aggravated in recent decades, with an increase in temporary contracts, loss of labor rights, overload of tasks, and adverse work conditions, among others, adds to the increase in medical and hospital care in the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context, female healthcare workers experience lack of personal protective equipment, fear of coronavirus infection, concerns with their children and other family members, and illness and death of coworkers and themselves. The article highlights the need for government attention and management of healthcare work and professional societies, analyzing the work conditions female healthcare workers are experiencing in confronting the pandemic.

Traditional herbal medicines to overcome stress, anxiety and improve mental health in outbreaks of human coronaviruses.

Mental health condition is including depression and anxiety, and they may impact wellbeing, personal relationships and productivity of both genders. Herbal medicines have been used to treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms for centuries. SARS, MERS and COVID-19 are related to coronavirus types. SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-2020) are the main coronavirus outbreaks. Both anxiety and depression are more serious to be considered and improved for all general public during fight with these diseases. In this mini-review article, we have mentioned the key role some of the most important plants and herbs for treatment of stress and anxiety and improve mental health against SARS and SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of traditional Asian medicine, especially traditional Chinese and Persian medicine.

Auriculoterapia em profissionais de enfermagem na pandemia do coronavírus: estudo de casos múltiplos / Auriculotherapy in nursing professionals during the coronavirus pandemic: a multiple case study

Objetivou avaliar o efeito antes e depois de uma sessão de auriculoterapia nos níveis de ansiedade, depressão e estresse nos profissionais de enfermagem escalados para atuar na assistência durante a pandemia do coronavírus. Estudo de caso, com casos múltiplos e uma unidade de análise. Estabeleceu-se uma amostra por conveniência de 41 profissionais. Aplicou-se o instrumento de caracterização sociodemográfica e a escala de Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, antes e após uma sessão de auriculoterapia com protocolo de 10 acupontos. Teste de Wilcoxon e T emparelhado foram empregados para análise. Níveis de ansiedade, depressão e estresse apresentaram resultados significativos, cujas medianas reduziram de seis para quatro (p<0,001), nas variáveis depressão e ansiedade, e a média de estresse reduziu de 19,37 para 11,95 (p<0,001). A auriculoterapia foi efetiva na redução de distúrbios emocionais nos profissionais de enfermagem.

This study aimed to evaluate the levels of anxiety, depression and stress before and after an auriculotherapy session, in nursing professionals working during the coronavirus pandemic. Case study, with multiple cases and one unit of analysis. A convenience sample of 41 professionals was established. The sociodemographic characterization instrument and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were applied before and after an auriculotherapy session with a 10-acupoint protocol. The Wilcoxon and t tests were paired for analysis. Anxiety, depression and stress levels showed significant results, the medians decreased from six to four (p<0.001), in the variables depression and anxiety, and the average stress decreased from 19.37 to 11.95 (p<0.001). Auriculotherapy was effective in reducing emotional disorders in nursing professionals.

One Virus, Four Continents, Eight Countries: An Interdisciplinary and International Study on the Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought about several features that increased the sense of fear and confusion, such as quarantine and financial losses among other stressors, which may have led to adverse psychosocial outcomes. The influence of such stressors took place within a broader sociocultural context that needs to be considered. The objective was to examine how the psychological response to the pandemic varied across countries and identify which risk/protective factors contributed to this response. An online survey was conducted from 29 May 2020-12 June 2020, among a multinational sample of 8806 adults from eight countries/regions (Canada, United States, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand). Probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression episode (MDE) were assessed. The independent role of a wide range of potential factors was examined using multilevel logistic regression. Probable GAD and MDE were indicated by 21.0% and 25.5% of the respondents, respectively, with an important variation according to countries/regions (GAD: 12.2-31.0%; MDE: 16.7-32.9%). When considered together, 30.2% of the participants indicated probable GAD or MDE. Several factors were positively associated with a probable GAD or MDE, including (in descending order of importance) weak sense of coherence (SOC), lower age, false beliefs, isolation, threat perceived for oneself/family, mistrust in authorities, stigma, threat perceived for country/world, financial losses, being a female, and having a high level of information about COVID-19. Having a weak SOC yielded the highest adjusted odds ratio for probable GAD or MDE (3.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.73-3.77). This pandemic is having an impact on psychological health. In some places and under certain circumstances, however, people seem to be better protected psychologically. This is a unique opportunity to evaluate the psychosocial impacts across various sociocultural backgrounds, providing important lessons that could inform all phases of disaster risk management.

CovEMERALD: Assessing the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of remotely delivered Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing following Covid-19 related critical illness: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Primary Objective: To determine the feasibility of delivering a protocolised, remote, online, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) intervention, within 12-weeks of hospital discharge, for adult survivors of Covid-19 related critical illness. Secondary objectives: To investigate whether remotely delivered EMDR can improve psychological outcome following Covid-19 related critical illness, specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. TRIAL DESIGN: This is a single centre, randomised controlled cohort feasibility trial. PARTICIPANTS: Participants will be recruited following discharge from the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Southampton, United Kingdom. Eligible patients will have received mechanical ventilation for a minimum of 24 hours, tested Covid-19 positive by polymerase chain reaction, will be over the age of 18 years and have the capacity to provide informed consent. Patients will be excluded if they have pre-existing cognitive impairment, pre-existing psychotic diagnosis or are not expected to survive post-hospital discharge. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Group one: patients in the control arm will receive their standard package of prescribed care, following discharge home from hospital. If they experience any adverse physical or psychological health-conditions, they will access care through the usual available channels. Group two: patients randomly allocated to the intervention arm will receive their standard package of prescribed care, following discharge home from hospital. In addition, they will be referred to the Intensive Psychological Therapies Service in Poole, United Kingdom. They will receive an online appointment within 12-weeks of discharge home from hospital. They will receive a maximum of eight, weekly sessions of EMDR, delivered by a trained psychological therapist, following the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP). Appendices 1 and 2 of the attached trial protocol contain a detailed description of the R-TEP intervention, written in accordance with the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist and guide. MAIN OUTCOMES: The primary outcome from this trial will be feasibility. Feasibility will be determined by recruitment rates, expressed as a percentage of eligible patients approached, completion of the EMDR intervention, completion of final assessment at 6-months, incidence of attributable adverse events and protocol adherence by the psychological therapists. Secondary, exploratory outcomes will be assessed by comparison between the control and intervention groups at 6-months post-hospital discharge. Psychometric evaluation will consist of the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In addition, we will assess health-related quality of life using the EQ5D-5L, physical activity using wrist worn activity monitors and nutritional state using the Council of Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire. RANDOMISATION: Consenting participants will be randomly allocated to intervention or usual care using an internet-based system (ALEATM). Participants will be randomly assigned, on a 1:1 ratio, to receive either standard care (control) or the standard care plus online EMDR R-TEP (Intervention) BLINDING (MASKING): Due to the nature of the intervention, participants cannot be blinded to group allocation. 6-month patient reported outcome measures will be completed using an online, electronic case report form. Group allocation will be masked during data analysis. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): This is a feasibility study, the results of which will be used to power a definitive study if appropriate. We anticipate a 25% mortality /loss to follow-up. A total of 26 patients will be recruited to this study, 13 patients in each arm. TRIAL STATUS: CovEMERALD opened to recruitment on 23rd September 2020 with an anticipated recruitment period of 6-months. We are using protocol version number 1.2 (1st June 2020) TRIAL REGISTRATION: CovEMERALD was registered on clinicaltrials.gov NCT04455360 on 2nd July 2020 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 2).

Fear of childbirth in time of the new coronavirus pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Reflect on how the new coronavirus pandemic triggered or accentuated the fear of childbirth in pregnant women and affected childbirth care practices. METHODS: Reflective analysis of women's pregnancy and childbirth experiences during the current pandemic, supported by the latest scientific evidence and recommendations on the topic. RESULTS: Pregnancy and childbirth are life-changing events for women, but during the new coronavirus pandemic, fear and uncertainty have taken on an unprecedented dimension in the negative way that many pregnant women have anticipated and experienced childbirth. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The current period has accentuated a chronic problem: a paternalistic system of health institutions in the approach to childbirth, dense with additional levels of fear in pregnant women. In this context, addressing the fear of childbirth means not giving up the promotion of safe and positive birth experiences for women.

The use of online MBSR audio in medical staff during the COVID-19 in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to survey medical staff's acceptance of online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) during the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (NCP), and to know some information of physical and emotional response of those medical staff who worked at the forefront of COVID-19, through the playback amount of the online MBSR training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Considering the working environment of medical staff in forefront of NCP, we designed and recorded MBSR audio album including 13 sessions, covering 24 hours of a day, then sent the album to medical staff who had been working in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. We collected the playback amount in each session on February 10th and February 24th, which were one week and three weeks after the album was finished. RESULTS: On February 10th and February 24th, there were separately 5778 and 10640 times of broadcasting. The highest broadcasting frequency session was at 5:00 am, followed by 7:00 am. The least broadcasting frequency sessions were 17:00 pm and 19:00 pm. The broadcasting amount in the 6 periods of the night (from 21:00 pm to 7:00 am) was significantly higher than those in the daytime (from 9:00 am to 19:00 pm), with a statistical difference. The tendency of the amount of playback was consistent, which was not affected by the specific content of the mindfulness exercises. CONCLUSIONS: Online MBSR exercises were well accepted by medical staff in the COVID-19. It may help them relax and reduce the risk of stress reactions. During the NCP, medical staff may have different degrees of sleep and emotional problems, which need to be paid more attention to.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on negative emotions and sleep quality in COVID-19 patients: A clinical observational study.

This study investigates the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on negative mood and sleep quality in Coronavirus Pneumonia (COVID-19) patients.COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease, and there is still uncertainty about when the outbreak will be contained and the effectiveness of treatments. Considering that this disease is highly contagious, patients need to be treated in isolation. This may lead to psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, and even sleep problems.This study is a clinical observation study.Participants included 79 COVID-19 patients admitted to a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan from February to March, 2020. Patients were selected and assigned to the control group and the observation group according to their wishes, with 40 and 39 cases in each group, respectively. The control group received routine treatment and nursing, and the observation group received progressive muscle relaxation training, in addition to the routine treatment and nursing. We compared scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) before and after the intervention.There was no significant difference in PSQI, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores between the control group and the observation group before the intervention (P > .05). After the intervention, the difference in scores of PSQI, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 in the 2 groups were statistically significant (P < .05).Progressive muscle relaxation training can significantly reduce anxiety and depression and improve sleep quality in COVID-19 patients during isolation treatment.Progressive muscle relaxation training was shown to improve the treatment effect of patients and is worthy of clinical promotion.

The effect of meditative movement on the quality of life in patients recovering from COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia is currently ongoing all over the world. The treatment scheme is generally isolation treatment and symptomatic support treatment. While the majority of patients recover from this disease through methods above, COVID-19 Infection severely affect the physical and mental health of rehabilitation patients, as well as their living quality. Thus, meditative movement is needed to improve outcome of COVID-19 patients in recovery period. METHODS: We will conduct systematic searches to identify all relevant studies without any language limitation from the following electronic databases from inception to October 2020: Medline, Ovid, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System and Wan fang Database. At the same time, we will search the following Clinical trial registries to identify records of on-going or completed but not yet published trials, including WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), Trials Register of Promoting Health Interventions (TRoPHI) and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). No limits will be placed on language. The article will study the effect of meditative movement on the quality of life of convalescent patients. The main outcome will be the effect of meditative movement on the quality of life of patients in recovery period. The secondary results will select accompanying symptoms (including myalgia, cough, sputum, runny nose, pharyngalgia, anhelation, chest distress, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea), disappearance rate, negative COVID-19 results rate on 2 consecutive occasions (not on the same day), the quality of life improved, CT image improvement, average hospitalization time, occurrence rate of common type to severe form, clinical cure rate, and mortality. Data collection and management 3 authors will independently carry out data from eligible studies in a pretested and standardized Microsoft Excel sheet, with reciprocal validation of data extraction results. Data analysis and quantitative data synthesis will be performed using RevMan software (V.5.3). RESULTS: The findings of the study will provide new and relatively high-quality evidence in meditative movement treatment for COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether meditative movement is an effective intervention for patient with COVID-19 in recovery period. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020210256.

[The COVID-19 psychological helpline of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Spanish Psychological Association: characteristics and demand.] / El teléfono de asistencia psicológica por la COVID-19 del Ministerio de Sanidad y del Consejo General de la Psicología de España: Características y demanda.

Between March and May 2020, the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Spanish Psychological Association created the Psychological First Care Service (Servicio de Primera Ayuda Psicológica-SPAP), a national helpline designed to provide early psychological intervention to those people affected by COVID-19. This service attended more than 15,000 calls and carried out more than 11,000 interventions and 9,500 follow-ups with the general population, healthcare and other essential professionals and the patients and relatives of the sick or deceased. Results show that the majority of calls (45.7%) came from the Autonomous Community of Madrid, that women significantly used this service in a higher proportion than men (73.5%) and that the commonest age range among users was 40-59. 75.9% of consultations were related to psychological problems linked to anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, grief symptoms also stood out among the patients or relatives of the sick and deceased and, to a lesser extent, stress symptoms were prevalent in the group of professionals. These data show the usefulness of this early psychological care service and the need for similar resources to be implemented in coordination with or within the National Health System.

Entre marzo y mayo de 2020, el Ministerio de Sanidad y el Consejo General de la Psicología de España, pusieron en marcha el Servicio de Primera Ayuda Psicológica (SPAP), un servicio telefónico para toda España, diseñado para proveer atención psicológica temprana a las personas afectadas por la COVID-19. En el tiempo en que el servicio estuvo disponible, se gestionaron 15.170 llamadas, que condujeron a realizar 11.417 intervenciones psicológicas con personal sanitario y otros intervinientes, con enfermos y familiares de enfermos o fallecidos, y población general. Los resultados muestran que la mayoría de llamadas (45,7%) provenían de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, que hubo significativamente más mujeres que utilizaron el servicio (73,5%) y que el rango de edad más común entre los usuarios era el de 40-59 años. El 75,9% de las consultas tuvo que ver con problemas psicológicos relacionados con sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, aunque también destacaba la sintomatología de duelo entre los enfermos o familiares de enfermos y fallecidos y, en menor medida, la sintomatología de estrés en el grupo de intervinientes. Estos datos muestran la necesidad de este servicio de atención psicológica temprana y sugieren que recursos como este deberían implementarse de manera integrada en el Sistema Nacional de Salud.

Animal-Assisted Support: Actionable Intervention for Burnout.

The impact of long shifts, the puzzling illnesses and manifestations of COVID-19, its personal and family impacts, and the sustained grief of many losses in the past 6 months requires consideration of interventions to lift caregivers' spirits. Burnout has long been a challenge for nurses working in intense acute environments. Today, the risk and effects are even greater. Animal-assisted support is one intervention that shows some promise in supporting employee well-being. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(11):496-497].

Covid-19 pandemic and the motivations for demanding health service in indigenous villages.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the fundamental aspects in the establishment of preventive measures to tackle covid-19 among indigenous people in view of the motivations for seeking health care in villages of the Terra Indígena Buriti, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: Theoretical-reflective study based on assumptions of the National Health System and previous ethnographic research that enabled the identification of the motivations to seek health care in Buriti villages. RESULTS: Indigenous people seek health centers for health care programs assistance, treatment of cases they cannot resolve and to chat. Such motivations were the basis for discussing the indigenization process in the confrontation of the new coronavirus pandemic in indigenous lands. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The motivations for seeking health care show the physical and social vulnerability of the Terena ethnicity. The effectiveness of the social isolation measure in the villages depends on the dialogue with indigenous leaders, professional engagement and intersectoral actions.

Potential benefits of Yoga in pregnancy-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for working women.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a vulnerable period of growth and enrichment along with many physiological and psychological challenges. These changes can lead to complications if compounded by external stress and anxiety. COVID-19 has emerged as a chief stressor among the general population and is a serious threat among vulnerable populations. Therefore, there is a need for stress management tools, such as Yoga and physical exercises, both at home and at work. These can be adopted during the pandemic with proper maintenance of social distancing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compile literature that has reported the health outcomes of Yoga intervention on pregnancy at the workplace and analyzes both the restrictions as well as advantages of its beneficial effects in comparison to physical exercises. METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar. The keywords used for the search include "Yoga", "work", "complications", "physical exercise", "drugs" and "COVID" indifferent permutations and combinations with "pregnancy". We compiled the literature with respect to pregnancy complications and the effects of drugs, physical activity and Yoga for preventing these complications. RESULTS: We noted that pregnancy-related complications are becoming more prevalent because of a sedentary lifestyle, restricted physical activity and growing stress. In such situations, a home or workplace Yoga protocol can combine both exercise and mindfulness-based alleviation of anxiety for both working and non-working women. CONCLUSION: Yoga can be effective for combating stress and anxiety besides boosting immunity in pregnant working women confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Religion and Faith Perception in a Pandemic of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted religion and faith in different ways. Numerous restrictions have been implemented worldwide. Believers are in conflict with authorities' warnings that gatherings must be limited to combat the spread of the virus. Religion has always played a role of the balm for the soul, and the regular religious participation is associated with better emotional health outcomes. In our study, we examined whether the exposure to COVID-19 enhances the faith. The instrument used was a survey verifying the power of spirituality in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

A quantitative and qualitative study on the neuropsychiatric sequelae of acutely ill COVID-19 inpatients in isolation facilities.

This study examined the neuropsychiatric sequelae of acutely ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection who received treatment in hospital isolation wards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten COVID-19 patients who received treatment in various hospitals in Chongqing, China; 10 age- and gender-matched psychiatric patients; and 10 healthy control participants residing in the same city were recruited. All participants completed a survey that collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms in the past 14 days and psychological parameters. Face-to-face interviews with COVID-19 patients were also performed using semi-structured questions. Among the COVID-19 patients, 40% had abnormal findings on the chest computed topography scan, 20% had dysosmia, 10% had dysgeusia, and 80% had repeated positivity on COVID-19 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. COVID-19 and psychiatric patients were significantly more worried about their health than healthy controls (p = 0.019). A greater proportion of COVID-19 patients experienced impulsivity (p = 0.016) and insomnia (p = 0.039) than psychiatric patients and healthy controls. COVID-19 patients reported a higher psychological impact of the outbreak than psychiatric patients and healthy controls, with half of them having clinically significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. COVID-19 and psychiatric patients had higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress than healthy controls. Three themes emerged from the interviews with COVID-19 patients: (i) The emotions experienced by patients after COVID-19 infection (i.e., shock, fear, despair, hope, and boredom); (ii) the external factors that affected patients' mood (i.e., discrimination, medical expenses, care by healthcare workers); and (iii) coping and self-help behavior (i.e., distraction, problem-solving and online support). The future direction in COVID-19 management involves the development of a holistic inpatient service to promote immune and psychological resilience.

The role of Yoga in working from home during the COVID-19 global lockdown.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of stress and anxiety worldwide. Due to the global lockdown, work, employment, businesses and the economic climate have been severely affected. It has generated stress among people from all sections of society, especially to workers who have been assigned to cater to healthcare service or those constrained to secure daily essential items. It is widely perceived that elderly or those affected by diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases are prone to COVID-19. As per an ongoing survey, the initial data shows that the above-mentioned anxiety and stress cause insomnia, and has the considerable potential to weaken the immune system, the sole protection against the virus. OBJECTIVE: This study focuses on the need of Yoga practice at work places and at home during the global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Literature was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar for COVID-19-related stress and anxiety at work and society due to the worldwide lockdown. The predisposing comorbidities, viral mechanism of action and treatment regimen were also searched. Yoga-based intervention studies and online programs were also searched. RESULTS: As the lockdown cannot last forever and workplaces will have to be functional soon, there is an increased possibility of recurrent infection. Therefore, Yoga can provide the necessary tool for risk reduction, amelioration of stress and anxiety and strengthening of the immune function. The online platforms provide a good media for Yoga training at work places and homes. CONCLUSION: Due to social distancing norms, the availability of Yoga trainers has become restricted. Yoga practice is actively sought to achieve reduced anxiety and stress so that improved sleep may positively impact immunity. As a consequence, there is a spurt in social media, catering to daily online Yoga sessions which apparently prove useful in providing accessible means to achieve mental as well as physical well-being.

Social Isolation: Managing Psychological Distress in Hospitalized Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many hospitals and treatment centers to temporarily restrict or prohibit visitors to control viral spread. This article presents a case study of a patient receiving a bone marrow transplantation who experienced psychological distress during hospitalization because of social isolation. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for distress management are used as a framework to outline a nursing plan of care for managing social isolation-related psychological distress in patients who are hospitalized during a worldwide pandemic.

The effect of qigong for pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with covid-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Qigong is a traditional Chinese exercise method for health care, keeping fit and getting rid of diseases. It has the advantages of simple operation and few side effects. Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-COV-2). Its clinical manifestations mainly include fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Clinical practice showed that Qigong had some therapeutic effects on pulmonary dysfunction caused by novel Coronavirus, but there was lacking in evidence of evidence-based medicine. The purpose of this protocol is to systematically evaluate the effects of Qigong on lung function and quality of life in COVID-19 patients, and to add evidence to evidence-based medicine for the clinical application of Qigong therapy. METHODS: Use computer to retrieve English database (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library) and Chinese database (China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Database, VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Database). In addition, we manually retrieve randomized controlled clinical research from Baidu academic and Google academic from its establishment to July 2020. Two researchers independently extracted and evaluated the quality of the data included in the study, using RevMan5.3 to do meta-analyses of articles included, without language restrictions. RESULTS: This research evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Qigongs influence on patients pulmonary function and life quality by index such as 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second/Forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second/prediction (FEV1/PRE), Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), etc. CONCLUSIONS:: This study will provide reliable evidence-based evidence for the clinical application of Qigong in the treatment of COVID-19. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020191877.

Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for anxiety disorder of coronavirus disease 2019: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorder places a heavy burden in the clinical treatment of patients of COVID-19. Acupuncture is a recommended treatment of COVID-19 in China, and clinical researches showed the effectiveness of acupuncture. We will conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for COVID-19. METHODS: Electronic databases of Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical literature Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific and Journal Database (VIP), and Wan Fang database (Wanfang) will be searched for randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for anxiety disorder of COVID-19 from inception of the database to August 10, 2020. Two reviewers will screen studies, collect information independently. We will utilize RevMan 5.3 for meta-analysis. RESULTS: We will publish the study result to a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: This study will contribute to provide high-quality evidence of acupuncture for anxiety disorder of COVID-19.

"I am terrified of something happening to me" The lived experience of people with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Obesity is emerging as a risk factor for COVID-19 disease severity. The impact of the pandemic and knowledge of obesity as a risk factor on the lived experience of people with obesity is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2 ), currently engaged in multi-modal treatment. The primary objectives were to examine the impact of the pandemic on their lived experience from a treatment and psychosocial standpoint and additionally explore their awareness of obesity as a risk factor for COVID-19 disease severity. An in-depth qualitative study was adopted employing semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Interpretive thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data and identify key themes taking a grounded approach. Themes that emerged from the perspective of impact on lived experience were (a) challenge sustaining treatment and (b) psychosocial impact. There was an even split regarding awareness and lack of awareness of obesity as risk factor which itself contributes towards a negative psychosocial impact in most patients. The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a diverse challenge to people with obesity. This has implications for their on-going treatment. From an ethical standpoint, there is a need to fully elucidate the link between obesity and COVID-19, disseminate this information using people friendly language and imagery in a manner that does not exacerbate a harmful psychosocial response or lead to stigmatization.