Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39946708›Full record

Trial reportJournal of medical Internet research2025

Effectiveness of an Internet-Based, Self-Guided, Short-Term Mindfulness Training (ISSMT) Program for Relieving Depressive Symptoms in the Adult Population in China: Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Tingfei Zhu, Liuyi Zhang, Wenqi Weng, Ruochen Gan, Limin Sun, Yanping Wei, Yueping Zhu, Hongyan Yu, Jiang Xue, Shulin Chen

Erratum issuedAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tingfei ZhuCounseling and Psychological Services, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0001-7961-5558
Liuyi ZhangDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-9553-7139
Wenqi WengDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5217-4051
Ruochen GanDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5077-8708
Limin SunDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-4185-8738
Yanping WeiDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-0333-6680
Yueping ZhuDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-1880-6999
Hongyan YuDepartment of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0001-7781-6639
Jiang XueThe Affiliated Dongguan Songshan Lake Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China.ORCID 0000-0002-3237-2330
Shulin ChenDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0003-4114-3297

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDepression is a significant global public health issue, and in China, access to mental health services remains limited despite high demand. Research has shown that mindfulness can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms and that telehealth solutions offer a promising avenue for addressing this service gap. Despite this potential, there are currently few studies in China focusing on short-term online mindfulness training. Most existing online mindfulness studies relied on traditional 8-week programs, which can be challenging for participant adherence due to limited accessibility and high dropout rates. Additionally, limited research exists on short-term online mindfulness interventions, and findings remain inconsistent.

objectiveThis study aimed to develop and evaluate an internet-based, self-guided, short-term mindfulness training (ISSMT) program based on the Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) to reduce depression symptoms.

methodsThe ISSMT program was delivered via an online platform, "Hi Emotion," and was accessible to the general public. Interested individuals aged 18 years and older were randomized into either the ISSMT group or a wait-list control group. Participants in the ISSMT group received daily reminders to participate in a 15- to 20-minute session over a 14-day training period. Measurements, including mindfulness and depressive symptoms, were collected at baseline and weekly for the subsequent 3 weeks.

resultsA total of 205 adults participated in the 14-day online intervention. Linear mixed models were used to analyze both per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) samples. Compared with the wait-list control group, participants in the ISSMT group showed significant improvements in mindfulness (Cohen d=0.44 for ITT; Cohen d=0.55 for PP) and reductions in depressive symptoms (Cohen d=0.50 for ITT; Cohen d=0.53 for PP). Furthermore, participants expressed high acceptance of this training format with a relatively low dropout rate (<40%).

conclusionsThe ISSMT program based on the MAT effectively enhanced mindfulness and alleviated depressive symptoms. This intervention could be considered for integration into psychosocial service systems to improve mental health outcomes and help bridge the gap between limited resources and the high demand for services in China. Future research should focus on personalizing these programs and incorporating advanced technologies to enhance their effectiveness and user engagement.

trial registrationOpen Science Framework; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8P4V6.

Indexed as

DepressionInternetInternet-Based InterventionMindfulnessAdultChinaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSingle-Blind MethodTelemedicineYoung Adultdepressioninternet-basedmindfulnessrandomized controlled trialself-guidedshort-term

Identifiers

PMID39946708
PMCPMC11888059

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.