The Effects of Non-Mindfulness Practices and Human Support on Depression, Mental Well-Being, and Mindfulness in Digital Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Four-Armed Randomized Dismantling Trial

This study examined whether adding non-mindfulness practices (based on positive psychology and cognitive–behavioral therapy) and human support to mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) improved their effectiveness in treating depression and enhancing mental well-being and mindfulness.

Compared with the waitlist control, all interventions improved depression and nonreacting (i.e., nonreactivity to inner experience), with small to medium effect sizes. However, intervention effects on mental well-being, observing, describing, acting with awareness, and nonjudging were non-significant. Depression reductions were sustained in the MM and MM-H groups but not in the MA group at the 3-month follow-up. No significant differences emerged between intervention groups on any outcome. Nonreacting mediated the effects of all three interventions on depression. Observing mediated improvements in mental well-being for the MM and MM-H groups but not for the MA group.

Brief digital MBIs can effectively reduce depression, with nonreacting as a key mediator. The mediating role of observing in well-being may depend on intervention components. Combining mindfulness, non-mindfulness practices, and human support may enhance long-term effects on depression. Targeting nonreacting and observing in MBIs may facilitate improvements in depression and well-being, respectively.

This study is not preregistered.