Can mindfulness and acceptance be learnt by self-help?: a systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness and acceptance-based self-help interventions.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of low-intensity mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions compared to control conditions.
Results Summary
Low-intensity mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions showed significant benefits over control conditions, with small to medium effect sizes on measures of mindfulness/acceptance, depression, and anxiety. Engagement varied, with about two-thirds of participants completing post-intervention measures.
Population
Not specified (general population inferred from abstract).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions | increase | psychological and physical health | - | - | have positive consequences | #1 |
low-intensity interventions including mindfulness and acceptance-based components | increase | measures of mindfulness/acceptance | - | small to medium effect sizes | produced significant benefits | #2 |
low-intensity interventions including mindfulness and acceptance-based components | decrease | depression | - | small to medium effect sizes | produced significant benefits | #3 |
low-intensity interventions including mindfulness and acceptance-based components | decrease | anxiety | - | small to medium effect sizes | produced significant benefits | #4 |
There is growing evidence that mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions have positive consequences for psychological and physical health. The most well-established of these interventions typically involve relatively large resource commitments, in terms of both the provider and participant. A number of recent studies have begun to explore whether the benefits of such interventions can be generalised to less intensive methods. Methods include pure and guided self-help utilising resources such as books and workbooks, computer programmes and applications and audio-visual materials. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that have evaluated the effectiveness and acceptability of low-intensity interventions including mindfulness and acceptance-based components. Fifteen RCTs (7 ACT-based, 4 mindfulness-based and 4 multi-component interventions including elements of mindfulness and/or acceptance) were identified and reviewed. Interventions that included mindfulness and/or acceptance-based components produced significant benefits in comparison to control conditions on measures of mindfulness/acceptance, depression and anxiety with small to medium effect sizes. Engagement with the self-help interventions varied but on average two-thirds of participants completed post-intervention measures. Emerging research into low-intensity mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions is hopeful. Recommendations for research and practice are presented.