Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Mechanisms of Change of the Internet-Based Intervention StudiCare Mindfulness for College Students: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Ann-Marie Küchler, Fanny Kählke, Danielle Vollbrecht, Katharina Peip, David Daniel Ebert, Harald Baumeister
Mindfulness August 10, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01949-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | College students with low to moderate mindfulness |
| Duration | 5 weekly online modules; assessments before and 6 weeks after randomization |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 30 |
| Key findings | StudiCare Mindfulness produced a large improvement in mindfulness compared with a waitlist control group (d = 1.37), with significant benefits on stress, depression, anxiety, and quality of life except physical quality of life. Mindfulness mediated the effects on depression, anxiety, and stress. The authors suggest the program may serve as a low-threshold prevention and treatment option, pending future trials. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives College is an exhilarating but stressful time often associated with mental distress. The StudiCare project offers Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMI) for college student mental health promotion. Within this framework, we evaluated the IMI StudiCare Mindfulness, and examined potential moderators and mediators of effectiveness.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 150 college students with low to moderate mindfulness were randomly assigned to StudiCare Mindfulness or a waitlist control group (WL). StudiCare Mindfulness comprises 5 weekly online modules based on Acceptance Commitment Therapy and stress management. Assessments took place before (t0) and 6 weeks after (t1) randomization. Primary outcome was mindfulness. Secondary outcomes were stress, depression, anxiety, quality of life, intervention satisfaction, and adherence. Sociodemographic variables, pre-intervention symptomatology, personality traits, and attitudes towards IMI were examined as potential moderators.
Results: Intention-to-treat analyses (N = 149) showed a large effect of StudiCare Mindfulness on mindfulness (d = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.01–1.73) compared to WL at t1 (β = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.96–1.40). Effects on secondary outcomes were significant in favor of the intervention group except for physical quality of life. Mindfulness was found to mediate intervention effectiveness on depression, anxiety, and stress. Moderation analysis was non-significant except for baseline openness to experience, with lower openness associated with larger intervention effects on mindfulness.
Conclusions: This trial suggests that StudiCare Mindfulness may enhance mindfulness and reduce mental health problems. Its potential applicability as low-threshold prevention and treatment option on a population level should be subject to future trials.
Trial Registration: German Clinical Studies Trial Register TRN: DRKS00012559.
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
Cited by 10
- 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
- An Online Mindfulness Intervention for International Students: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. Clinical Psychology in Europe June 1, 2023
- Effect of daily mindfulness fluctuations on sleep and recovery-stress states in elite level judoka: an observational study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2025
- Mindfulness-based interventions for student coping in higher education: a systematic review Advances in Mental Health July 10, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 10
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- The moderation of Mindfulness‐based stress reduction effects by trait mindfulness: Results from a randomized controlled trial Journal of Clinical Psychology December 22, 2010
- Can Mindfulness Be Too Much of a Good Thing? The Value of a Middle Way Current Opinion in Psychology January 7, 2019
- Effects of preventive online mindfulness interventions on stress and mindfulness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Preventive Medicine Reports March 9, 2017
and 5 more in the library