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Can mindfulness and acceptance be learnt by self-help?: a systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness and acceptance-based self-help interventions.

Clinical psychology review
March 1, 2014
Kate Cavanagh et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Acceptance and Commitment TherapyChronic PainDepressive DisorderHumansMindfulnessSelf CareStress, Psychological
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations159
Citations/Year14.5
Relative Citation Ratio8.10
NIH Percentile96.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.88
Normalized Score0.66
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