A 14-day internet-based, self-guided short-term mindfulness training program based on the Monitor and Acceptance Theory reduced depressive symptoms and improved mindfulness in Chinese adults. In a randomized trial with 205 participants, those in the training group showed significant improvements compared with a wait-list control group, with moderate effect sizes (Cohen d around 0.5 for depressive symptoms and mindfulness). Dropout rates were relatively low (under 40%), and participants reported high acceptance of the format. The program, delivered via the "Hi Emotion" platform, offers a scalable approach to help address the gap between limited mental health resources and high demand in China.
A mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program reduced burnout among healthcare providers in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a randomized trial with 112 participants, those in the MBSR group showed significant increases in personal accomplishment and decreases in emotional exhaustion compared to the control group. No significant difference was found for depersonalization. The effects on personal accomplishment were partially mediated by increased cognitive reappraisal and positive affect. The program was feasible and may help reduce healthcare provider burnout, even during a pandemic.
A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials found that body scan meditation alone, a single component of standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), has only a small effect on mindfulness compared to passive control conditions (Hedge's g = 0.268). The intervention did not effectively improve health-related outcomes. Attrition rates for long-term interventions were low, but the overall quality of the included studies was low and there was high heterogeneity across studies. These results suggest that a sole body scan meditation is not sufficient to produce meaningful health benefits.