JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a need for regularly updating the evidence base on the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), especially considering how fast this field is growing and developing.

Objective:

The current study presents an updated meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing the effects of online MBIs on mental health, as well as the potential moderators of those effects.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science up to July 19th, 2019. Seventy trials totalling 91 comparisons were included. Pre-to-post and pre-to-follow-up between-group effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were calculated for depression, anxiety, stress, well-being and mindfulness, using a random effects model.

Results:

The findings revealed statistically significant moderate pre-to-post effects on stress (g=0.41) and mindfulness (g=0.43) and small effects on depression (g=0.31) and anxiety (g=0.23). For well-being, a significant effect was found only when omitting low quality studies (g=0.34). Significant but small follow-up effects were found for depression (g=0.25), anxiety (g=0.17) and stress (g=-0.11). Subgroup analyses revealed that online MBIs resulted in higher effect sizes for stress when offered with guidance. For stress and mindfulness, studies that used an inactive control condition yielded larger effects.

Conclusions:

Our findings do not only demonstrate that the field of online MBIs is booming, but also corroborate previous evidence that online MBIs are beneficial for improving mental health outcomes in a broad range of samples. To advance the field of online MBIs, future trials should pay specific attention to methodological quality, adherence and long-term follow-up measurements.