Digital and In-Person Mindfulness-Based Interventions for University Students' Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Sharmistha Roy, Amar Kanekar, Ashis Kumar Biswas, Manoj Sharma
Healthcare June 26, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14131875 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | University students aged 18 years and older |
| Duration | 3 days to 12 weeks, most lasting 4 to 8 weeks |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Digital interventions In-person interventions Mindfulness-based interventions Randomized controlled trials Stress University students |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions consistently reduce depression and generally improve anxiety among university students, with digital delivery showing comparable effectiveness to in-person formats. |
Abstract
Background/Objectives: University students commonly experience psychological distress driven by academic demands, social transitions, and financial pressures. Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as scalable approaches to improve mental health. However, evidence comparing their effectiveness across delivery formats remains limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and to compare outcomes across in-person, digital, and hybrid modalities.
Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2020 and December 2025 on mindfulness-based interventions among university students aged 18 years and older. Intervention duration ranged from 3 days to 12 weeks, with most lasting 4 to 8 weeks, and outcomes included validated measures of stress, anxiety, or depression. Literature research was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, and two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
Results: A total of 24 RCTs were included, with the highest representation from the United States and China (n = 4 each), followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. Mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated consistent reductions in depression and generally positive effects on anxiety, while effects on stress were more variable. Digital interventions demonstrated effectiveness comparable to in-person programs, though outcomes varied by intervention structure and level of guidance.
Conclusions: Mindfulness-based interventions are effective in improving mental health among university students, particularly for depression and anxiety. Multi-week programs and guided digital delivery appear to enhance effectiveness and scalability.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 21
- Brief mindfulness-based training and mindfulness trait attenuate psychological stress in university students: a randomized controlled trial BMC Psychology February 1, 2021
- Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial among University Students Healthcare December 22, 2022
- Effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress: 1-year follow-up of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health September 10, 2020
- The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health among university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health 2023
- A Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness, Acceptance, and Negative Effects of StudiCare Mindfulness, an Internet- and Mobile-Based Intervention for College Students with No and “On Demand” Guidance International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health February 11, 2023
and 16 more in the library