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Long-term effects of an online mindfulness intervention on mental health in Chinese nursing students: a randomized controlled trial follow-up.

Zhenwei Dai, Shu Jing, Yijin Wu, Xu Chen, Jiaqi Fu, Chen Pan, Qiuping Tang, Huan Wang, Xiaoyou Su

BMC Public Health February 19, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21726-3 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 108
Population Undergraduate nursing students in Beijing, China
Duration 6-week intervention, 3-month follow-up
Topics Meditation
Keywords Follow-up Intervention Mental health Nursing student
Citations 10
Key findings The online mindfulness intervention significantly reduced stress and anxiety and improved mindfulness and social support in the short term, but long-term effects on mental health were not sustained.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of the six-week online mindfulness intervention course "Mindfulness Living With Challenge (MLWC)" on the mental health of undergraduate nursing students in Beijing, China, through a three-month follow-up. A three-month follow-up was conducted upon completion of the six-week MLWC course. Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21), Chinese Short Formed Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) were used to evaluate participants' mental health, mindfulness, and perceived social support. Generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used to evaluate the effects of intervention and time. A causal mediation model was constructed to explore the mediation effects of perceived social support between mindfulness and mental health. Among 108 participants (52 intervention, 56 control), MLWC significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels, and improved mindfulness and social support levels among undergraduate nursing students (P < 0.05), but long-term effects were not obvious in improving participants' mental health. Perceived social support mediated the relationship between the mindfulness intervention and mental symptoms (P < 0.05). Online mindfulness interventions may temporarily alleviate mental health challenges in nursing students, with social support playing a mediating role. Sustained benefits may require regular practice, highlighting the need for ongoing mindfulness integration into training programs. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR2200058103; Registered on March 29, 2022, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=136413 .

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment 2003 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults 2008 Randomized controlled trial n = 139
Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students 2007 Randomized controlled trial n = 40
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2004 Randomized controlled trial n = 73

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Meditation Anxiety Depression