Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions for improving mental health in patients with physical health conditions: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to determine the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for improving mental health in patients with physical health conditions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Elsevier, and CINAHL published through September 2019 were searched. Two reviewers selected trials, conducted a critical appraisal, and extracted the data. Meta-analyses were performed. A total of nine RCTs were included. Analyses revealed that online MBIs was effective in improving depression [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-0.37, -0.07), p = 0.004], anxiety [SMD = -0.19, 95% CI (-0.33, -0.04), p = 0.01], and stress [SMD = -0.32, 95% CI (-0.52, -0.13), p = 0.001], and mindfulness [SMD = 1.67, 95% CI (0.14, 3.20), p = 0.03] in patients with physical conditions. We did not find any obvious effects on well-being [SMD = 1.12, 95% CI (-0.11, 2.36), p = 0.08]. Nevertheless, additional well-designed randomized clinical trials are further needed.