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The Hidden Complexity of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Group Medical Visits: Comfort, Challenge, and the Influence of Social Determinants of Health.

Jessica L Barnhill, Gabriela Castro, Christine Lathren, Elondra Harr, Isabel Roth, Jose E Baez, Ruth Rodriguez, Suzanne Lawrence, Paula Gardiner, Carol M. Greco, Holly N Thomas, Susan A Gaylord, Graham A Dore, Anita Bengert, Natalia E. Morone

Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2025 DOI: 10.1177/27536130251326938 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 59
Population Participants from the intervention arm of the OPTIMUM study with chronic low back pain, including historically marginalized communities
Topics Meditation
Keywords Mindfulness-baseed stress reduction Pain Telemedicine Virtual Whole health
Registration NCT04129450
Key findings Participant experiences of a virtual mindfulness-based group medical visit varied substantially, shaped by the physical environment and technology use, with implications for historically marginalized communities.

Abstract

Chronic low back pain is globally prevalent and associated with significant impairment in quality of life. Furthermore, people from historically marginalized communities are less likely to receive treatment, contributing to health inequities. Group mindfulness-based interventions improve pain and function, and virtual delivery has been demonstrated to be feasible. Little is known about how participants experience the virtual delivery of mindfulness-based interventions, especially participants from historically marginalized communities. This study explored participant perspectives of a virtual mindfulness-based group medical visit for people with chronic low back pain. Participants were recruited from the intervention arm of OPTIMUM, a study of virtual medical group visits using an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program for chronic low back pain. Semi-structured exit interviews were examined, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to compose key themes. Interviews from 59 participants (mean 56 years, 69.5% women; 45.8% Black or African American) were examined. Two major themes were derived from analysis. The first theme was 'effects of the external environment,' ie, the physical location from which the participant engaged with the session. The subthemes were comfort, social demands in the home setting, and sharing personal spaces. The second theme was 'navigating the virtual platform.' Subthemes were ease, struggle, and levels of support. Patient experiences varied substantially during the virtual mindfulness-based group medical visit intervention and this variation was influenced by social determinants of health. The key themes bring attention to the effects of the external environment and the technology itself on participation for people from historically marginalized communities. Basic tenets of mindfulness, such as present state awareness and equanimity, can provide a structure within which to navigate virtual participation amid home environments. Future studies are needed to explore differences in virtual and in-person mindfulness programs and to adapt virtual mindfulness programs. NCT04129450.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... 2017 Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system 2004 Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators 2013 Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

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