Online Mindfulness Interventions: A Systematic Review
Abstract
The current chapter systematically reviewed literature on online mindfulness interventions. Electronic databases were searched from 2005 to July 2016. The aim was to examine the nature of online mindfulness interventions, design features, and their effectiveness in improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The review of selected studies shows that online delivery of mindfulness psycho-education and practice is an area in its infancy. There is evidence that online mindfulness interventions can have a positive impact on mental health in terms of stress, depression, and anxiety; however, large sample studies are needed in order to have conclusive results. Moreover, the extension of online mindfulness interventions beyond the individual level to include a community dimension, such as virtual community features, and a focus on the social determinants of health, needs to be explored in future. The online mindfulness intervention could be a cost-effective way to scale up the promotion of mental wellbeing.
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MBSR delivered through meditation apps or online classes produces psychological benefits.
“Recent studies reported psychological benefits, even when the MBSR was delivered through meditation apps or online classes [65,66,67]”
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El Morr, C., Ritvo, P., Ahmad, F., Moineddin, R., & MVC Team (2020) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/18595 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
“A recent systematic review showed the impact of online mindfulness interventions on depression, anxiety, and stress [25]; however, there is no clear indication as to which specific intervention components were specifically effective.”
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“A further question concerns which variables, following the MBSR intervention, are directly responsible for the beneficial effect on psychological well-being [67].”
BackgroundInfluentialMorr, C. E., Jammal, M., Bou-Hamad, I., Hijazi, S., Ayna, D., Romani, M., & Hoteit, R. (2024) · Journal of Primary Care & Community Health · doi:10.1177/21501319241235588 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
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El Morr, C., Maule, C., Ashfaq, I., Ritvo, P., & Ahmad, F. (2020) · Health Informatics Journal · doi:10.1177/1460458219884840 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“22,23 26 The key elements of this platform are peer-to-peer asynchronous online forum, mindfulness-based self-help modules, and group-based video conferencing with a psychologist.”
BackgroundSelf-citationKaring, C. (2022) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12408 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
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“In this context, mindfulness-based stress reduction training is a low-cost technique that can be delivered online, without requiring a patient role, to proactively manage symptoms of depression and anxiety within the population [15, 16].”
Predictive Models for Canadian Healthcare Workers Mental Health During COVID-19
Kumari, B., Goyal, N., & Morr, C. E. (2024) · Journal of Primary Care & Community Health · doi:10.1177/21501319241241468 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“19 Particularly, online mindfulness has been proven to be effective in addressing depression, anxiety, and stress in various populations, 20-24 including for workplace interventions, 25 and including for healthcare workers.”
BackgroundRen, Z., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Fan, P., Liu, Z., & Shen, B. (2025) · JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting · doi:10.2196/65826 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Furthermore, video-based mindfulness interventions have shown benefits for populations with chronic illnesses and other conditions [64,65].”
MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES IN NURSING: A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Iikura, A., Tamura, H., Miyamoto, S., & Sugawara, D. (2025) · Nurse and Holistic Care · doi:10.33086/nhc.v5i1.5615 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Puah, S., Pua, C. Y., Shi, J. C., & Lim, S. M. (2024) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/49505 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“These results align with recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which have shown that online mindfulness interventions are beneficial for enhancing self-compassion [35] and reducing stress, depression, and anxiety-related symptoms after intervention [36].”
Ren, Z., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Fan, P., Liu, Z., & Shen, B. (2024) · doi:10.2196/preprints.65826
- Authors
- Ahmad, F., Wang, J. J., & El Morr, C.
- Affiliations
- York University (CA)
- York University, Canada
- Venue
- Advances in Healthcare Information Systems and Administration
- Publisher
- IGI Global
- Published
- 2018
- Pages
- 1-27
- ISSN
- 2328-1243 (ISSN-L)
- 2328-126X
- OpenAlex
- W2755280539
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 5.25
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Advances in healthcare information systems and administration book series (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- online mindfulness intervention, depression, anxiety, stress, mental health, online communities, social determinants of health, psychological well-being, cost-effectiveness
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