Use of Mobile Apps and Online Programs of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Training in Workers: A Scoping Review.
Catherine Bégin, Jeanne Berthod, Lizette Zamora Martinez, Manon Truchon
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-022-00267-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Workers |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | App Occupation Online Self-compassion Web-based Workers |
| Key findings | Digital mindfulness-based interventions are diverse and increasingly popular among workers, but face challenges with engagement and confidentiality, and are predominantly studied in healthcare populations with female samples. |
Abstract
Mindfulness and self-compassion interventions are two strategies helpful in preventing and reducing burnout and work stress. However, professionals with overburdened schedules can experience obstacles in learning and practicing these interventions, originally taught with lengthy programs. The use of digital technologies could make these interventions more accessible to workers, as studied in a recent, growing body of evidence. The evidence available is diverse in terms of interventions, designs, outcomes, and populations. This calls for a review that can take into consideration this diversity while still rigorously synthesize it. Scoping reviews are designed to examine emerging evidence and summarize the evidence on a specific topic of interest. The present scoping review aims to assess the current state of the literature on the use of online programs and mobile applications of self-compassion, mindfulness, and meditation (digital mindfulness-based interventions; dMBIs) by workers. More specifically, information on the type of intervention, population, advantages, and disadvantages, measured outcomes, and advice for future research are gathered. MEDLINE (PubMed; Ovid), PsychInfo (Ovid), and Web of Science (Clarivate) were searched to identify all relevant articles. The screening process resulted in 56 articles being included in this scoping review. Inclusion criteria were (1) participants are workers; (2) the intervention is individual, digital, and mindfulness/self-compassion/meditation-based; and (3) articles were available in French or English language at the time of the review. Interventions used were mostly mindfulness-based, equally categorized under web-based and app-based interventions. Most interventions included information on mindfulness, meditation or self-compassion, meditation exercises, other types of exercises, instructions on how to use, and reminders. dMBIs are often studied in the healthcare population and predominantly in female samples. Although dMBIs present advantages (low cost, accessibility, practicality, feasibility), obstacles can arise in their implementation (low engagement and motivation, concerns about confidentiality). Included articles measured outcomes related to work, mindfulness or self-compassion, and other psychological variables (stress/anxiety, depression, resilience, wellbeing). Articles provided important directions to further research on dMBIs regarding methodological aspects, modality and intervention, and individual and organizational questions. dMBIs are becoming more popular and interventions are diverse. Although not without limitations, this scoping provided a synthesis on different aspects of the use of dMBIs within workers and highlighted pertinent future research directions.
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 8
- Mindful Self-Compassion Smartphone Intervention for Worker Mental Health in Japan: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols July 15, 2024
- Reducing parenting stress among Muslim mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic through spiritual mindfulness training Humanitas Indonesian Psychological Journal August 28, 2023
- Mindfulness and meditation: Promoting emotional and cognitive health. Progress in Brain Research 2025
- Effects of Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Interventions on Mental Health and Work-Related Outcomes Among Japanese Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Medical Internet Research February 10, 2026
- Exploring the effects of mindfulness meditation on resting-state functional connectivity: an overview. Reviews in the Neurosciences June 3, 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 19
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- Mindfulness on-the-go: Effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology May 3, 2018
- An Exploration of Formal and Informal Mindfulness Practice and Associations with Wellbeing Mindfulness May 21, 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training in the Workplace: Pilot Study of the Internet-Based Resilience@Work (RAW) Mindfulness Program Journal of Medical Internet Research June 28, 2018
- Trends and Developments in Mindfulness Research over 55 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications Indexed in Web of Science Mindfulness July 16, 2021
and 14 more in the library