Effectiveness of Neurofeedback-Assisted and Conventional 6-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Interventions on Mental Health of Chinese Nursing Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Shu Jing, Zhenwei Dai, Xiaoyang Liu, Xuelin Yang, Jinglei Cheng, Tianming Chen, Zihang Feng, Xin Liu, Fenghe Dong, You Xin, Zhuoyan Han, Haiyan Hu, Xiaoyou Su, Chen Wang
Journal of Medical Internet Research May 23, 2025 DOI: 10.2196/71741 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 147 |
| Population | Chinese nursing students in Beijing |
| Interventions | Neurofeedback-assisted online mindfulness intervention Conventional online mindfulness intervention General mental health education |
| Duration | 6-week intervention, with assessments at baseline, immediately after intervention, and at 1 and 3 months after intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Online mindfulness Randomized controlled trial Student well-being Mental health support Digital mental health E-mental health Web-based mindfulness Digital mindfulness E-mindfulness Virtual mindfulness Neurofeedback neurofeedback Neurofeedback-assisted Brain training Biofeedback Rct Clinical trial Evidence-based |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Both neurofeedback-assisted and conventional online mindfulness interventions reduced short-term depression, anxiety, and fatigue in nursing students, with the neurofeedback version showing greater immediate improvements, but most effects were not sustained at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. |
Abstract
Nursing students experience disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges, underscoring the urgent need for innovative, scalable interventions. Web-based mindfulness programs, and more recently, neurofeedback-enhanced approaches, present potentially promising avenues for addressing this critical issue. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the neurofeedback-assisted online mindfulness intervention (NAOM) and the conventional online mindfulness intervention (COM) in reducing mental health symptoms among Chinese nursing students. A 3-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted among 147 nursing students in Beijing, China, using a 6-week web-based mindfulness program. Participants received NAOM, COM, or general mental health education across 6 weeks. Electroencephalogram and validated tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire were used to primarily assess symptoms of depression and anxiety at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 1 and 3 months after the intervention. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the effects of intervention and time. A total of 155 participants enrolled in the study, and 147 finished all assessments. Significant reductions in the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue were observed in the NAOM (mean difference [MD]=-3.330, Cohen d=0.926, P<.001; MD=-3.468, Cohen d=1.091, P<.001; MD=-2.620, Cohen d=0.743, P<.001, respectively) and the COM (MD=-1.875, Cohen d=0.490, P=.03; MD=-1.750, Cohen d=0.486, P=.02; MD=-2.229, Cohen d=0.629, P=.01, respectively) groups compared with the control group at postintervention assessment. Moreover, the NAOM group showed significantly better effects than the COM group in alleviating depressive symptoms (MD=-1.455; Cohen d=0.492; P=.04) and anxiety symptoms (MD=-1.718; Cohen d=0.670; P=.04) and improving the level of mindfulness (MD=-3.765; Cohen d=1.245; P<.001) at the postintervention assessment. However, no significant difference except for the anxiety symptoms was observed across the 3 groups at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups. This 6-week web-based mindfulness intervention, both conventional and neurofeedback-assisted, effectively alleviated mental health problems in the short term among nursing students. The addition of neurofeedback demonstrated greater short-term benefits; however, but these effects were not sustained over the long term. Future research should focus on long-term interventions using a more robust methodological approach. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR2400080314; https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=211845.
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 4
- Mindfulness Development via Biofeedback for Anxiety in Hospitalized Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Brain Sciences July 15, 2026
- The Effectiveness of a 6-Week Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Patients With Cervical Cancer or High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Multimodal Data of Scales and Electroencephalogram. Psycho-Oncology September 1, 2026
- Positive psychology instruction with embedded mindfulness exercises and associations with professional calling and self-concept clarity: a quasi-experimental study of chinese medical students. BMC Psychology July 25, 2026
- Haptic Meditation Enhancement Device (HMED): An Arduino-Based Multi-Sensor Real-Time Monitoring and Intervention Support System. Italian National Conference on Sensors July 1, 2026
Cites 23
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- The Meditative Mind: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of MRI Studies BioMed Research International 2015
and 18 more in the library