Online mindfulness interventions in the care of people with physical and mental health conditions: a scoping review.
Vjura Senthilnathan, Susan Zahir, Robert Simpson, Susan Jaglal, Catharine Craven, Mary-Jo Fetterly, Laure Perrier, Sarah Munce
BMJ Open July 18, 2025 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086287 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 84 |
| Population | Adults with physical or mental health conditions |
| Interventions | online mindfulness-based interventions online mindfulness-based stress reduction online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health Psychosocial intervention Rehabilitation medicine |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Online mindfulness-based interventions have been studied for many physical and mental health conditions, but reporting of intervention components and tailoring is inconsistent. |
Abstract
With growing access to the internet, online mindfulness programmes have become more commonly used to manage physical and mental health conditions. This scoping review aims to determine the nature and extent of the literature, and key characteristics, of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for adults with physical or mental health conditions. A scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies focusing on online MBIs, online mindfulness-based stress reduction and online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in adults with a physical or mental health condition were included. Study and participant characteristics, key intervention characteristics, outcome measures and results were abstracted. 84 studies were included. Online MBIs have been studied in many different physical and mental health conditions; however, 63 of the included studies were for physical health conditions. MBCT was the most common intervention type assessed, with 33 of the included studies assessing it. Regarding intervention characteristics, intervention duration was similar across intervention type at 8 weeks, with sessions led by therapists, clinicians or mindfulness instructors. Web-based and videoconferencing were the most common delivery formats. Intervention content generally remained similar to standardised MBIs, with the addition of psychoeducation and disease management. Many studies did not report on tailoring the intervention to the participant population. There was a lack of consistency in reporting intervention characteristics. This review highlights some evidence for online mindfulness programmes for both physical and mental health conditions. However, intervention componentry remains somewhat obscure, and reporting on tailoring appears relatively sparse. Greater consistency in reporting intervention componentry will improve knowledge and study in this area and enhance the translation of these interventions to clinical settings.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 46
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Web-Based Mindfulness Intervention in Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial PLoS One December 7, 2015
- Web-Based Intervention in Mindfulness Meditation for Reducing Residual Depressive Symptoms and Relapse Prophylaxis: A Qualitative Study Journal of Medical Internet Research March 24, 2014
- Online mindfulness as a promising method to improve exercise capacity in heart disease: 12-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial PLoS One May 9, 2017
and 41 more in the library