The Relative Contributions of Live and Recorded Online Mindfulness Training Programs to Lower Stress in the Workplace: Longitudinal Observational Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the relative contribution of live and recorded mindfulness training in reducing perceived stress among employees.
Results Summary
The study found that participation in the mindfulness program reduced stress, with live programs supplemented by recorded sessions showing the strongest likelihood of significant stress reduction. Most participants engaged in both live and recorded options, with those using recordings tending to use them 3-4 times.
Population
Employees from 44 companies (N=8341).
Effective Dosage
Participants were encouraged to spend 14 minutes (1% of their day) practicing mindfulness meditation daily.
Duration
30 days
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
any participation with the eMindful OPC | decrease | stress | participants | B=-0.32, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.30, SE=0.01 | reduced stress | #1 |
live mindfulness programs with recorded or on-demand programs used to supplement live practices | decrease | stress levels | - | - | confer the strongest likelihood of achieving a significant decrease | #2 |
BACKGROUND: Despite numerous gaps in the literature, mindfulness training in the workplace is rapidly proliferating. Many "online" or "digital mindfulness" programs do not distinguish between live teaching and recorded or asynchronous sessions, yet differences in delivery mode (eg, face-to-face, online live, online self-guided, other) may explain outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use existing data from an online mindfulness solutions company to assess the relative contribution of live and recorded mindfulness training to lower perceived stress in employees. METHODS: Perceived stress and the amount of live and recorded online mindfulness training accessed by employees were assessed during eMindful's One-Percent Challenge (OPC). The OPC is a 30-day program wherein participants are encouraged to spend 1% of their day (14 minutes) practicing mindfulness meditation on the platform. We used linear mixed-effects models to assess the relationship between stress reduction and usage of components of the eMindful platform (live teaching and recorded options) while controlling for potential reporting bias (completion) and sampling bias. RESULTS: A total of 8341 participants from 44 companies registered for the OPC, with 7757 (93.00%) completing stress assessments prior to the OPC and 2360 (28.29%) completing the postassessment. Approximately one-quarter of the participants (28.86%, 2407/8341) completed both assessments. Most of the completers (2161/2407, 89.78%) engaged in the platform at least once. Among all participants (N=8341), 8.78% (n=707) accessed only recorded sessions and 33.78% (n=2818) participated only in the live programs. Most participants engaged in both live and recorded options, with those who used any recordings (2686/8341, 32.20%) tending to use them 3-4 times. Controlling for completer status, any participation with the eMindful OPC reduced stress (B=-0.32, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.30, SE=0.01, t CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are in stark contrast to the rapid evolution of online mindfulness training for the workplace. While the market is reproducing apps and recorded teaching at an unprecedented pace, our results demonstrate that live mindfulness programs with recorded or on-demand programs used to supplement live practices confer the strongest likelihood of achieving a significant decrease in stress levels.