Skip to content

Increased Interest for Mindfulness Online.

Angelica Misitzis

International Journal of Yoga September 13, 2020 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_15_20 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Population Worldwide Google search queries for the term "mindfulness" from 2004 to 2020
Duration 2004-2020
Measures Google Trends
Topics Meditation
Keywords Internet Google trends
Key findings Google searches for "mindfulness" increased significantly worldwide from 2004 to 2020 (β: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.96-2.32, P < 0.001), with the highest search interest in Ireland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and New Zealand and the lowest in Africa. Searches peaked in April 2020, which the authors suggest may reflect COVID-19-related anxiety. The authors propose the trend may reflect a societal need for grounding and improved quality of life.

Abstract

Background: "Mindfulness is the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment non-judgmentally" as defined by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness has been practiced for centuries in various traditions and religions. During the last decade, mindfulness has been implemented in clinical trials, psychotherapy, vacation retreats, and even in technology with smartphone applications.

Aims: The aim of this manuscript is to study the interest in mindfulness online.

Methods: A Google Trends analysis was performed for the years 2004-2020, worldwide.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase for the term "mindfulness" for the period studied (β: 2.14, 95%, confidence interval: 1.96-2.32, P < 0.001). Countries that searched for the term the most were Ireland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and New Zealand, while the continent of Africa had the lowest searches. Searches for mindfulness peaked in April 2020, which is possible because of the anxiety caused worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions: The observed increase in the interest for mindfulness might reflect society's need for grounding and improving quality of life. High-quality clinical studies are necessary to answer questions about the mechanism in which mindfulness improves symptoms and how it can be incorporated into modern treatment plans.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students 2006 Observational cohort
Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia 1992 Observational cohort n = 22
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls 2005 Observational cohort n = 20
Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls 2011 Observational cohort
Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls 2004 Observational cohort

Citations in the library

Cited by 3

Cites 5

Related reading

Explore topics

Meditation Anxiety