Digital mindfulness-based interventions can improve health outcomes but often fail because people stop using them. This scoping review of 22 qualitative studies identified three key factors affecting engagement: negative reactions to one's own practice that reduce motivation, difficulty making mindfulness a consistent habit, and reliance on others for support. The review suggests that developers should use person-based, participatory methods to improve acceptability and engagement.
A mindfulness and acceptance-based group intervention reduced depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma among adolescents with HIV in Uganda. In an open-label randomized trial with 122 participants aged 15–19, those who attended four weekly 90-minute sessions showed significantly greater decreases in depression, anxiety, and stigma compared with those receiving standard care. The intervention appears to help young people cope with the dual challenges of adolescence and HIV-related stigma, potentially improving adherence to treatment.