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A Systematic Review of Electronic Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Interventions for Weight, Weight-Related Behaviors, and Psychological Stress.

Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association
March 1, 2018
Lynnette Nathalie Lyzwinski et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the applicability and effectiveness of electronic mindfulness-based interventions for stress, maladaptive weight-related behaviors, and weight loss.

Results Summary

Most electronic mindfulness-based interventions were effective for stress reduction (74%), but there were insufficient studies to determine effectiveness for weight-related behaviors. No mobile mindfulness-based interventions for weight were identified.

Population

Not specified (general population inferred from abstract).

Effective Dosage

Not mentioned

Duration

Not mentioned

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based interventions
decrease
stress, maladaptive weight-related behaviors, and weight loss
-
-
are effective
#1
electronic mindfulness-based interventions
decrease
stress reduction
-
N = 14/19 (74%)
Most were effective
#2
Web-based mindful eating/intuitive eating interventions
no change
weight
-
-
insufficient to determine if they were effective or not
#3
electronic mindfulness-based interventions
decrease
stress reduction
-
-
appear to be effective
#4
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Recent research indicates that mindfulness-based interventions are effective for stress, maladaptive weight-related behaviors, and weight loss. Little is presently known about their applicability and effectiveness when delivered electronically, including through Web-based and mobile device media. The primary aims of this review were to identify what types of electronic mindfulness-based interventions have been undertaken for stress, maladaptive weight-related behaviors, and weight loss, and to assess their overall effectiveness. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases was undertaken in June 2016. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were identified that met inclusion criteria and were selected in the final review. Of these, 19 were mindfulness-based interventions for stress reduction. Two were Web-based mindful eating/intuitive eating interventions for weight. Only one electronic mindfulness-based study was identified that targeted both stress and maladaptive weight-related behaviors. Most electronic interventions were effective for stress reduction N = 14/19 (74%). There were insufficient electronic mindfulness-based interventions for weight to determine if they were effective or not. Additionally, no mobile mindfulness-based intervention was identified for weight or weight-related behaviors. CONCLUSION: Electronic mindfulness-based interventions through diverse media appear to be effective for stress reduction. More studies are needed that target weight and weight-related behaviors as well as studies that target both stress and weight. More randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assess mobile mindfulness-based apps are needed as we only identified four app trials for stress. Mobile mindfulness-based interventions for weight and weight-related behaviors are a future area of research novelty.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Body WeightHealthy LifestyleHumansInternetMindfulnessMobile ApplicationsStress, PsychologicalWeight Reduction Programs
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations27
Citations/Year3.9
Relative Citation Ratio2.00
NIH Percentile74.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.17
Normalized Score0.66
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