Online mindfulness interventions in the care of people with physical and mental health conditions: a scoping review.

Online mindfulness programs are increasingly used to manage health conditions. This scoping review of 84 studies found that online mindfulness-based interventions have been studied for many physical and mental health conditions, with 63 studies focused on physical health. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was the most common type, assessed in 33 studies. Interventions typically lasted 8 weeks, were led by therapists or instructors, and delivered via web or videoconferencing. Content generally followed standard mindfulness programs, sometimes adding psychoeducation or disease management. Many studies did not report tailoring interventions to participants, and reporting of intervention details was inconsistent. The review suggests some evidence for online mindfulness programs but notes that intervention components remain unclear.

Study at a glance

Abstract

With growing access to the internet, online mindfulness programmes have become more commonly used to manage physical and mental health conditions. This scoping review aims to determine the nature and extent of the literature, and key characteristics, of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for adults with physical or mental health conditions. A scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies focusing on online MBIs, online mindfulness-based stress reduction and online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in adults with a physical or mental health condition were included. Study and participant characteristics, key intervention characteristics, outcome measures and results were abstracted. 84 studies were included. Online MBIs have been studied in many different physical and mental health conditions; however, 63 of the included studies were for physical health conditions. MBCT was the most common intervention type assessed, with 33 of the included studies assessing it. Regarding intervention characteristics, intervention duration was similar across intervention type at 8 weeks, with sessions led by therapists, clinicians or mindfulness instructors. Web-based and videoconferencing were the most common delivery formats. Intervention content generally remained similar to standardised MBIs, with the addition of psychoeducation and disease management. Many studies did not report on tailoring the intervention to the participant population. There was a lack of consistency in reporting intervention characteristics. This review highlights some evidence for online mindfulness programmes for both physical and mental health conditions. However, intervention componentry remains somewhat obscure, and reporting on tailoring appears relatively sparse. Greater consistency in reporting intervention componentry will improve knowledge and study in this area and enhance the translation of these interventions to clinical settings.