A Systematic Review of Electronic Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Interventions for Weight, Weight-Related Behaviors, and Psychological Stress.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.