Mindfulness-based online interventions for mental health treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Poster C118, Wednesday, October%2010, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom

Olga Santesteban-Echarri1,2,3, Julia Sevilla Llewellyn-Jones2,4,5,6, Ingrid Pryor2, Anna Beneria2,7, Patrick McGorrry2, Mario Alvarez-Jimenez2; 1Hotchkiss Brain Institute. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 4Instituto de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental. Instituto de Investigación (IdISSC). Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 5Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Málaga, Spain, 6Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Málaga, Spain, 7UDPYPC Hospital Universitario Vall D'Hebron, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain

Background: Mindfulness-based online interventions (MOI) are increasingly being delivered through the Internet to treat mental health conditions. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of MOI in clinical mental health populations. Secondary aims are to explore the impact of study variables on the effectiveness of MOI. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of MOI in clinical populations. Results: The search strategy yielded 9 eligible studies. MOI were effective in reducing depression in the total clinical sample (n = 545 g = -0.748, p = 0.004) and in the anxiety disorder subgroup (n = 237, g = -0.730, p = 0.000) but not in the depression disorder subgroup (n = 308, p = 0.111). Similarly, MOI significantly reduced anxiety in the total clinical sample (n = 645, g = -0.398, p = 0.003) and the anxiety disorder subgroup (n = 337, g = -0.551, p = 0.003) but not in the depression disorder group (n = 308, p =0.275). Finally, MOI improved quality of life in the anxiety disorder subgroup (n = 234, g = 0.711, p = 0.004) and mindfulness skills in the total clinical sample (n = 281, g = 0.615, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Results support the effectiveness of MOI for reducing depression and anxiety, and enhancing quality of life and mindfulness skills, particularly in those with clinical anxiety. Results should be interpreted with caution given the high heterogeneity of MOI and the low number of studies included.

Topic Area: Translational Research

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