The effects of short video app-guided loving-kindness meditation on interpersonal mindfulness, empathy, collaboration, affect, and workplace well-being among working professionals.
Chao Liu, Yehui Tu, Li-Jen Lin, Hao Chen, Thu-Hua Liu, Huang-Li Lin, Wen-Ko Chiou
Frontiers in Public Health 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1716315 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Full-time employees aged 25-60 |
| Intervention | Loving-Kindness Meditation |
| Dose | daily 3-min sessions for 4 weeks |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Measures | Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS), Empathy Scale (ES), Interdisciplinary Collaboration Scale (ICS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form (PANAS-SF), Workplace Well-being Scale (WWS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Empathy Interdisciplinary collaboration Interpersonal mindfulness Loving-kindness meditation Short video intervention Workplace well-being |
| Key findings | A short video app-guided loving-kindness meditation intervention significantly increased interpersonal mindfulness, empathy, collaboration, positive affect, and workplace well-being, and decreased negative affect compared with no intervention. |
Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of a short video app-guided Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) intervention in enhancing interpersonal mindfulness, empathy, interdisciplinary collaboration, affective states, and workplace well-being among working professionals. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 100 full-time employees (aged 25-60), randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 50). The intervention group completed daily 3-min LKM sessions for 4 weeks via a secure short video app, while the control group received no intervention. Validated psychological scales were administered at baseline and post-intervention, including the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS), Empathy Scale (ES), Interdisciplinary Collaboration Scale (ICS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form (PANAS-SF), and Workplace Well-being Scale (WWS). A 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA was used to assess group × time interaction effects. Significant group × time interaction effects emerged for all six outcomes. Compared with controls, the intervention group showed greater increases in interpersonal mindfulness (F = 7.789, p = 0.006, η2 = 0.038), empathy (F = 9.831, p = 0.002, η2 = 0.048), collaboration (F = 4.832, p = 0.038, η2 = 0.022), and positive affect (F = 8.580, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.042), along with reduced negative affect (F = 10.169, p = 0.002, η2 = 0.049) and improved workplace well-being (F = 5.660, p = 0.018, η2 = 0.028). These findings demonstrate that short video-based LKM is a feasible and effective digital intervention for cultivating prosocial qualities, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being in workplace settings. The study supports integrating compassion-based practices into organizational wellness initiatives to promote employee functioning and workplace harmony. https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=285511, ChiCTR2500108223.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 18
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
and 13 more in the library