Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis
ObjectivesMental health problems among university students are a cause of widespread concern. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) delivered online have considerable potential to help university students manage mental health challenges. However, there is no consensus regarding the efficacy of onli...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073647/full |
| _version_ | 1828039514338099200 |
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| author | Xiao-Gang Gong Le-Peng Wang Guang Rong Dao-Ning Zhang A-Yuan Zhang A-Yuan Zhang Chao Liu Chao Liu |
| author_facet | Xiao-Gang Gong Le-Peng Wang Guang Rong Dao-Ning Zhang A-Yuan Zhang A-Yuan Zhang Chao Liu Chao Liu |
| author_sort | Xiao-Gang Gong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectivesMental health problems among university students are a cause of widespread concern. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) delivered online have considerable potential to help university students manage mental health challenges. However, there is no consensus regarding the efficacy of online MBIs. This meta-analysis aims to determine whether MBIs are feasible and effective for improving university students’ mental health.MethodsRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and the US National Library of Medicine (Clinical Trial Registry) published through August 31, 2022, were searched. Two reviewers selected the trials, conducted a critical appraisal, and extracted the data. Nine RCTs met our inclusion criteria.ResultsThis analysis showed that online MBIs were effective in improving depression (standardised mean difference [SMD] = −0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.48 to −0.07; P = 0.008), anxiety (SMD = −0.47; 95% CI, −080 to −0.14; P = 0.006), stress (SMD = −0.58; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.37; P < 0.00001), and mindfulness (SMD = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.25; p = 0.009) in university students. No significant effect was found on wellbeing (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI, −0.00 to 0.60; P = 0.05).ConclusionThe findings indicated that online MBIs could effectively improve the mental health of university students. Nevertheless, additional rigorously designed RCTs are required.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0099/, identifier INPLASY202290099. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:43:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-748341e0e3984883836404e8407702f1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:43:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-748341e0e3984883836404e8407702f12023-02-08T04:57:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-02-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.10736471073647Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysisXiao-Gang Gong0Le-Peng Wang1Guang Rong2Dao-Ning Zhang3A-Yuan Zhang4A-Yuan Zhang5Chao Liu6Chao Liu7Department of Medicine, College of Special Education, Beijing Union University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Humanities, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Primary Education, Teachers College, Beijing Union University, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Journalism and Communication, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, ChinaBusiness Analytics Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, TaiwanObjectivesMental health problems among university students are a cause of widespread concern. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) delivered online have considerable potential to help university students manage mental health challenges. However, there is no consensus regarding the efficacy of online MBIs. This meta-analysis aims to determine whether MBIs are feasible and effective for improving university students’ mental health.MethodsRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and the US National Library of Medicine (Clinical Trial Registry) published through August 31, 2022, were searched. Two reviewers selected the trials, conducted a critical appraisal, and extracted the data. Nine RCTs met our inclusion criteria.ResultsThis analysis showed that online MBIs were effective in improving depression (standardised mean difference [SMD] = −0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.48 to −0.07; P = 0.008), anxiety (SMD = −0.47; 95% CI, −080 to −0.14; P = 0.006), stress (SMD = −0.58; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.37; P < 0.00001), and mindfulness (SMD = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.25; p = 0.009) in university students. No significant effect was found on wellbeing (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI, −0.00 to 0.60; P = 0.05).ConclusionThe findings indicated that online MBIs could effectively improve the mental health of university students. Nevertheless, additional rigorously designed RCTs are required.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0099/, identifier INPLASY202290099.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073647/fullonlinemindfulnessmental healthuniversitystudentsmeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Xiao-Gang Gong Le-Peng Wang Guang Rong Dao-Ning Zhang A-Yuan Zhang A-Yuan Zhang Chao Liu Chao Liu Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychology online mindfulness mental health university students meta-analysis |
| title | Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effects of online mindfulness based interventions on the mental health of university students a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | online mindfulness mental health university students meta-analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073647/full |
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