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. 2023 Feb 8:14:1073647.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073647. eCollection 2023.

Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiao-Gang Gong  1 , Le-Peng Wang  2 , Guang Rong  3 , Dao-Ning Zhang  4 , A-Yuan Zhang  5   6 , Chao Liu  7   8
Affiliations

Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiao-Gang Gong et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Objectives: Mental 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.

Methods: Randomised 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.

Results: This 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).

Conclusion: The findings indicated that online MBIs could effectively improve the mental health of university students. Nevertheless, additional rigorously designed RCTs are required.

Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0099/, identifier INPLASY202290099.

Keywords: mental health; meta-analysis; mindfulness; online; students; systematic review; university.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow chart of study selection.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Summary of bias risk for included studies.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plot of meta-analysis for the efficacy of online MBIs on mental health. (A) Depression. (B) Anxiety. (C) Stress.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Forests plot of meta-analysis for the effect of online MBIs on wellbeing and mindfulness. (A) Wellbeing. (B) Mindfulness.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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