Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anxiety symptoms in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anxiety symptoms in adults and explore moderating factors.
Results Summary
Online mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved anxiety symptoms in adults (effect size g = 0.35), suggesting potential as an adjunctive or alternative treatment, though findings require cautious interpretation due to sample limitations.
Population
Adults (mean age 39.9 ± 12.9 years) with anxiety symptoms.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
face-to-face and online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | anxiety | general population | - | documented the effectiveness | #1 |
online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | anxiety | adults | g = 0.35, 95%CI 0.09, 0.62 | showed significantly improved | #2 |
online mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | anxiety symptoms | adult population | - | improved | #3 |
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies have documented the effectiveness on various types of face-to-face and online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in reducing anxiety among general population, but there is a scarcity of systematic reviews evaluating evidence of online MBIs on anxiety in adults. Therefore, we examined the effects of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anxiety symptoms in adults and explored the moderating effects of participant, methods, and intervention characteristics. METHODS: We systematically searched nine databases through May 2022 without date restrictions. Inclusion criteria were primary studies evaluating online mindfulness-based interventions with adults with anxiety measured as an outcome, a comparison group, and written in English. We used random-effects model to compute effect sizes (ESs) using Hedges' g, a forest plot, and Q and I RESULTS: Twenty-six primary studies included 3,246 participants (39.9 ± 12.9 years old). Overall, online mindfulness-based interventions showed significantly improved anxiety (g = 0.35, 95%CI 0.09, 0.62, I CONCLUSION: Online mindfulness-based interventions improved anxiety symptoms in adult population. Thus, it might be used as adjunctive or alternative complementary treatment for adults. However, our findings must be interpreted with caution due to the low and unclear power of the sample in primary studies; hence, high-quality studies are needed to confirm our findings.