ORIGINAL PAPER
Comparison of face-to-face and synchronous online mindfulness-based interventions: a quasi-experimental study
1
University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
2
University Research Center in Psychology (CUIP), Faro, Portugal
3
University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, Brazil
4
Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
Submission date: 2025-04-22
Final revision date: 2025-07-24
Acceptance date: 2025-07-25
Online publication date: 2025-10-08
Health Psychology Report 2025;13(4):354-365
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are a widely validated approach for the treatment and prevention of various pa-thologies, leading to increased physical and psychological health. Online MBIs have become more common in the past years, namely after the COVID-19 pandemic, but not much is known about their effectiveness. This study’s goal was to compare the efficacy of a face-to-face MBI with its online equivalent.
Participants and procedure:
A total of 114 university students of multiple nationalities participated in the investigation. This is a quasi-experimental study, with pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up comparative measurements in two types of group formats: in-person groups and synchronous online groups.
Results:
The results showed benefits for participants in both the face-to-face and online interventions. Anxiety was significantly re-duced at post-test, while stress, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties were significantly reduced at post-test and at follow-up. Furthermore, well-being and optimism were significantly increased at post-test and at follow-up. Between-group comparisons indicated higher efficacy for these variables in the online group.
Conclusions:
The fact that differential outcomes were observable for mindfulness and one of the expected mechanisms, in goal-directed thinking, while no significant differences were present for any outcome, shines a light on possible hidden mechanisms that differentiate how online interventions function when compared to their face-to-face counterparts. Despite these differences, the findings support the viability of online mindfulness interventions as an alternative to in-person formats. The present study adds to current knowledge about mindfulness interventions by supporting the feasibility of online mindfulness interventions.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are a widely validated approach for the treatment and prevention of various pa-thologies, leading to increased physical and psychological health. Online MBIs have become more common in the past years, namely after the COVID-19 pandemic, but not much is known about their effectiveness. This study’s goal was to compare the efficacy of a face-to-face MBI with its online equivalent.
Participants and procedure:
A total of 114 university students of multiple nationalities participated in the investigation. This is a quasi-experimental study, with pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up comparative measurements in two types of group formats: in-person groups and synchronous online groups.
Results:
The results showed benefits for participants in both the face-to-face and online interventions. Anxiety was significantly re-duced at post-test, while stress, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties were significantly reduced at post-test and at follow-up. Furthermore, well-being and optimism were significantly increased at post-test and at follow-up. Between-group comparisons indicated higher efficacy for these variables in the online group.
Conclusions:
The fact that differential outcomes were observable for mindfulness and one of the expected mechanisms, in goal-directed thinking, while no significant differences were present for any outcome, shines a light on possible hidden mechanisms that differentiate how online interventions function when compared to their face-to-face counterparts. Despite these differences, the findings support the viability of online mindfulness interventions as an alternative to in-person formats. The present study adds to current knowledge about mindfulness interventions by supporting the feasibility of online mindfulness interventions.
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