Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Journal: PloS one

Volume: 17

Issue: 9

Year of Publication: 2022

Affiliated Institutions:  Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga/Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Department of Psychiatry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Department of Physiology and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.

Abstract summary 

Psychotherapies, such as mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), are currently needed to tackle mental health problems. Online MBIs have become promising since face-to-face interventions are limited during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdown and social distancing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of online MBIs in improving mental health, mainly depression, anxiety, and stress.A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines on several databases for eligible studies up to October 17, 2021. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 tool. Effect sizes were presented as standardized mean difference (Hedges' g) between the online MBIs and control groups at post-test and follow-up using a random-effects model.Eight randomized controlled trials involving 868 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled adherence rate to online MBIs was 94% (95% CI = 91% to 98%). The findings revealed that online MBIs had a statistically significant small to moderate effect in reducing depression (g = -0.32; 95% CI = -0.49 to -0.14; I2 = 0%), a small effect on anxiety (g = -0.25; 95% CI = -0.43 to -0.06; I2 = 27%), and a moderate effect on stress (g = -0.62; 95% CI = -1.09 to -0.16; I2 = 83%). In addition, significant small effects at follow-up were observed for depression (g = -0.26; 95% CI = -0.48 to -0.04; I2 = 0%) and anxiety (g = -0.28; 95% CI = -0.48 to -0.08; I2 = 0%), but not for stress.Online MBIs have beneficial effects on mental health, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the limitations of the current study, future trials that specifically consider potential effect influencing factors, longer follow-up evaluation, and methodological quality are warranted.

Authors & Co-authors:  Witarto Bendix Samarta BS Visuddho Visuddho V Witarto Andro Pramana AP Bestari Damba D Sawitri Brihastami B Melapi Tando Abner Sivile TAS Wungu Citrawati Dyah Kencono CDK

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Kaligis F, Indraswari MT, Ismail RI. Stress during COVID-19 pandemic: Mental health condition in Indonesia. Med J Indones. 2020;29: 436–441. doi: 10.13181/mji.bc.204640
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : e0274177
SSN : 1932-6203
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
COVID-19
Other Terms
Study Design
Randomized Control Trial,Case Control Trial,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States