Comparison of face-to-face and synchronous online mindfulness-based interventions: a quasi-experimental study

An 8-week mindfulness-based intervention, delivered either face-to-face or synchronously online, reduced anxiety, stress, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties and increased well-being and optimism among 114 university students of multiple nationalities. Benefits were seen at post-test and at a 3-month follow-up, with the online group showing greater improvements on some measures. No significant differences emerged between formats for most outcomes, supporting online mindfulness interventions as a viable alternative to in-person formats.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are a widely validated approach for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies, leading to increased physical and psychological health. Online MBIs have become more common in the past years, namely after the COVID-19 pandemic, but not much is known about their effectiveness. This study's goal was to compare the efficacy of a face-to-face MBI with its online equivalent. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: A total of 114 university students of multiple nationalities participated in the investigation. This is a quasi-experimental study, with pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up comparative measurements in two types of group formats: in-person groups and synchronous online groups. RESULTS: The results showed benefits for participants in both the face-to-face and online interventions. Anxiety was significantly reduced at post-test, while stress, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties were significantly reduced at post-test and at follow-up. Furthermore, well-being and optimism were significantly increased at post-test and at follow-up. Between-group comparisons indicated higher efficacy for these variables in the online group. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that differential outcomes were observable for mindfulness and one of the expected mechanisms, in goal-directed thinking, while no significant differences were present for any outcome, shines a light on possible hidden mechanisms that differentiate how online interventions function when compared to their face-to-face counterparts. Despite these differences, the findings support the viability of online mindfulness interventions as an alternative to in-person formats. The present study adds to current knowledge about mindfulness interventions by supporting the feasibility of online mindfulness interventions.