The Western Australian medical schools mindfulness project: a randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of an 8-week online mindfulness training program on trait mindfulness, wellbeing, and study engagement in medical students at program completion and 6-month follow-up.
Results Summary
The intervention group showed modest but statistically significant improvements in mindfulness (9%), self-compassion (5%), and study engagement (4%) at Week 8, with sustained mindfulness improvement (5%) at 6 months. No significant changes were observed in the control group, and between-group differences were significant for mindfulness at Week 8 but not at 6 months.
Population
Medical students (N = 114)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
online mindfulness-based intervention | increase | mindfulness | medical students | 9% | experienced modest but statistically significant improvements | #1 |
online mindfulness-based intervention | increase | self-compassion | medical students | 5% | experienced modest but statistically significant improvements | #2 |
online mindfulness-based intervention | increase | study engagement | medical students | 4% | experienced modest but statistically significant improvements | #3 |
online mindfulness-based intervention | increase | mindfulness scores | medical students | 5% | reported a sustained improvement | #4 |
normal curriculum alone | no change | - | medical students | no significant changes | reported no significant changes | #5 |
online mindfulness-based intervention | increase | mindfulness | medical students | - | improved significantly more | #6 |
online mindfulness-based intervention | increase | study engagement | medical students | - | statistically marginally more | #7 |
online mindfulness-based intervention | no change | - | medical students | no statistically significant differences | No statistically significant between-group differences were observed | #8 |
BACKGROUND: Evidence for the longer-term benefits of online mindfulness training for medical students, including in the reduction of stress and improved wellbeing, is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel online mindfulness training program on trait mindfulness, wellbeing and study engagement of medical students at program completion and 6-month follow-up. METHODS: This was a randomised waitlist control study of an 8-week, online, mindfulness-based intervention versus normal curriculum alone for medical students (N = 114). The primary outcome measures were the changes from baseline to program completion at Week 8 for self-reported trait mindfulness (Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale) and study engagement scores (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students). The secondary outcome measures were these score changes from baseline to 6-month follow up. Intervention and control students completed surveys at all three time points. Program adherence (Mindfulness Adherence Questionnaire) was also measured in the intervention group. RESULTS: The intervention group experienced modest but statistically significant improvements in mindfulness (9%, p = 0.0002), self-compassion (5%, p = 0.026), and study engagement (4%, p = 0.035) from baseline to Week 8. They also reported a sustained improvement of 5% (p = 0.017) in mindfulness scores at 6 months. The control group reported no significant changes at Week 8 or 6 Months. Between-group comparisons showed that compared to the control group, the intervention group improved significantly more in mindfulness (p = 0.0076), and statistically marginally more in study engagement (p = 0.0534) at Week 8. No statistically significant between-group differences were observed at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results add to the small but growing body of evidence suggesting that online mindfulness-based interventions with minimal contact can improve, albeit in modest magnitude, mindfulness and possibly study engagement in medical students for the duration of a mindfulness program. Further refinements to the program may be important to maintain improvements in the longer-term. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number ACTRN12624000783527.