Transcendental Meditation (TM) to reduce stress and improve immunity of health care providers during COVID-19 pandemic

INTERVENTION: Intervention1: Transcendental Meditation (TM): The participating Health Care providers including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff involved in COVID‐19 patient care will be randomized into two groups: Intervention (TM) and Control (no TM). Control group will continue with their usual daily activities. The intervention group will practise TM besides their regular daily activities. Control Intervention1: Stress and Immunity: Perceived stress will be measured using Perceived stress scale (PSS). Self‐perceived immune status and Health related quality of life will be assessed by Short Form‐36. Biochemical stress level will be measure by Salivary cortisol, salivary amylase,Serum Cortisol and Beta‐Endorphins levels Expression of immune cells, B and T lymphocytes Plasma cells, natural killer (NK) cells, inflammatory Cytokines (Il‐6,8,10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α will be measured. CONDITION: PRIMARY OUTCOME: Perceived stress, measured using Perceived stress scale (PSS)Timepoint: Baseline and at one, two and three months post intervention SECONDARY OUTCOME: Immune cell counts: CD3 will be used to identify T‐cells, CD4 for helper T‐cells, CD8 for cytotoxic T‐cells, CD20 for B‐cells, CD16 and CD56 for natural killer (NK) cells. Plasma cells expression will also be evaluated ; Timepoint: Baseline and at one and three months post intervention Inflammatory Cytokines (Il‐6,8,10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐αTimepoint: Baseline and at one and three months post intrvention Salivary cortisol and salivary amylase, Serum Cortisol and Beta‐Endorphins levels.Timepoint: Baseline and at one and three months post intervention Self‐perceived immune status ; Health related quality of life will be assessed by Short Form‐36 ; Timepoint: Baseline and at one, two and three months post intervention INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Any healthcare provider including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff involved in COVID‐19 patient care at All India Institute of Medical Sciences is eligible for the study. 2. Agreement to attending the 5‐day session for learning TM and dedicating 40 mins per day for practice TM at home/workplace