Mindfulness-based Online Interventions for Mental Health Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Mindfulness-based online interventions (MOI) are increasingly being delivered through the Internet to treat mental health conditions. OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of MOI in clinical mental health populations. Secondary aims are to explore the impact of study variables on the effectiveness of MOI. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of MOI in clinical populations. RESULTS The search strategy yielded N=12 eligible studies. MOIs were effective in reducing depression in the total clinical sample (n=656 g=-0.609, P=0.004) and in the anxiety disorder subgroup (n=313, g=-0.651, P=0.000) but not in the depression disorder subgroup (n=251, P=0.178). Similarly, MOIs significantly reduced anxiety in the total clinical sample (n=756, g=-0.433, P=0.004) and the anxiety disorder subgroup (n=413, g=-0.719, P=0.000) but not in the depression disorder group (n=251, g=-0.213, P=0.275). Finally, MOIs improved quality of life and functioning in the total sample (n= 591, g=0.362, P=0.023) and the anxiety disorder subgroup (n=370, g=0.550, P=0.021) and mindfulness skills in the total clinical sample (n=251, g=0.724, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS Results support the effectiveness of MOIs for reducing depression and anxiety, and enhancing quality of life and mindfulness skills, particularly in those with clinical anxiety. Results should be interpreted with caution given the high heterogeneity of MOIs and the low number of studies included.