Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study

Alessandro  Sparacio; Hans Ijzerman; Ivan Ropovik; Filippo Giorgini; Christoph Spiessens; Bert N. Uchino; Joshua Landvatter; Tracey Tacana; Sandra J. Diller; Jaye L. Derrick; Joahana Segundo; Jace D. Pierce; Robert M. Ross; Zoë Francis; Amanda LaBoucane; Christine Ma-Kellams; Maire B. Ford; Kathleen Schmidt; Celia C. Wong; Wendy C. Higgins; Bryant M. Stone; Samantha K. Stanley; Gianni Ribeiro; Paul T. Fuglestad; Valerie Jaklin; Andrea Kübler; Philipp Ziebell; Crystal L. Jewell; Yulia Kovas; Mahnoosh Allahghadri; Charlotte Fransham; Michael F. Baranski; Hannah Burgess; Annika B.E. Benz; Maysa DeSousa; Catherine E. Nylin; Janae C. Brooks; Caitlyn M. Goldsmith; Jessica M. Benson; Siobhán M. Griffin; Stephen Dunne; William E. Davis; Tam J. Watermeyer; William B. Meese; Jennifer L. Howell; Laurel Standiford Reyes; Megan G. Strickland; Sally S. Dickerson; Samantha Pescatore; Shayna Skakoon-Sparling; Zachary I. Wunder; Martin V. Day; Shawna Brenton; Audrey H. Linden; Christopher E. Hawk; Léan V. O’Brien; Tenzin Urgyen; Jennifer S. McDonald; Kim Lien van der Schans; Heidi Blocker; Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong; Gabriela M. Jiga-Boy

doi:10.1038/s41562-024-01907-7

Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study

Alessandro Sparacio^*, Hans Ijzerman^*, Ivan Ropovik^*, Filippo Giorgini, Christoph Spiessens, Bert N. Uchino, Joshua Landvatter, Tracey Tacana, Sandra J. Diller, Jaye L. Derrick, Joahana Segundo, Jace D. Pierce, Robert M. Ross, Zoë Francis, Amanda LaBoucane, Christine Ma-Kellams, Maire B. Ford, Kathleen Schmidt, Celia C. Wong, Wendy C. HigginsBryant M. Stone, Samantha K. Stanley, Gianni Ribeiro, Paul T. Fuglestad, Valerie Jaklin, Andrea Kübler, Philipp Ziebell, Crystal L. Jewell, Yulia Kovas, Mahnoosh Allahghadri, Charlotte Fransham, Michael F. Baranski, Hannah Burgess, Annika B.E. Benz, Maysa DeSousa, Catherine E. Nylin, Janae C. Brooks, Caitlyn M. Goldsmith, Jessica M. Benson, Siobhán M. Griffin, Stephen Dunne, William E. Davis, Tam J. Watermeyer, William B. Meese, Jennifer L. Howell, Laurel Standiford Reyes, Megan G. Strickland, Sally S. Dickerson, Samantha Pescatore, Shayna Skakoon-Sparling, Zachary I. Wunder, Martin V. Day, Shawna Brenton, Audrey H. Linden, Christopher E. Hawk, Léan V. O’Brien, Tenzin Urgyen, Jennifer S. McDonald, Kim Lien van der Schans, Heidi Blocker, Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong, Gabriela M. Jiga-Boy^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Psychology Department

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

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Abstract

Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744) multi-site study (nsites = 37, nparticipants = 2,239, 70.4% women, Mage = 22.4, s.d.age = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = −0.56; 95% confidence interval, −0.43 to −0.69) between the control condition (M = 1.95, s.d. = 0.50) and the condition with the largest stress reduction (body scan: M = 1.68, s.d. = 0.46). Our findings suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial for reducing self-reported short-term stress for English speakers from higher-income countries.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1716-1725
Number of pages	10
Journal	Nature Human Behaviour
Volume	8
Issue number	9
Early online date	11 Jun 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01907-7
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2024

Keywords

Mindfulness
self-administered mindfulness
self-help mindfulness
multi-site study
stress reduction

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Sparacio, A., Ijzerman, H., Ropovik, I., Giorgini, F., Spiessens, C., Uchino, B. N., Landvatter, J., Tacana, T., Diller, S. J., Derrick, J. L., Segundo, J., Pierce, J. D., Ross, R. M., Francis, Z., LaBoucane, A., Ma-Kellams, C., Ford, M. B., Schmidt, K., Wong, C. C., ... Jiga-Boy, G. M. (2024). Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study. Nature Human Behaviour, 8(9), 1716-1725. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01907-7

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title = "Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study",

abstract = "Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744) multi-site study (nsites = 37, nparticipants = 2,239, 70.4% women, Mage = 22.4, s.d.age = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = −0.56; 95% confidence interval, −0.43 to −0.69) between the control condition (M = 1.95, s.d. = 0.50) and the condition with the largest stress reduction (body scan: M = 1.68, s.d. = 0.46). Our findings suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial for reducing self-reported short-term stress for English speakers from higher-income countries.",

keywords = "Mindfulness, self-administered mindfulness, self-help mindfulness, multi-site study, stress reduction",

author = "Alessandro Sparacio and Hans Ijzerman and Ivan Ropovik and Filippo Giorgini and Christoph Spiessens and Uchino, {Bert N.} and Joshua Landvatter and Tracey Tacana and Diller, {Sandra J.} and Derrick, {Jaye L.} and Joahana Segundo and Pierce, {Jace D.} and Ross, {Robert M.} and Zo{\"e} Francis and Amanda LaBoucane and Christine Ma-Kellams and Ford, {Maire B.} and Kathleen Schmidt and Wong, {Celia C.} and Higgins, {Wendy C.} and Stone, {Bryant M.} and Stanley, {Samantha K.} and Gianni Ribeiro and Fuglestad, {Paul T.} and Valerie Jaklin and Andrea K{\"u}bler and Philipp Ziebell and Jewell, {Crystal L.} and Yulia Kovas and Mahnoosh Allahghadri and Charlotte Fransham and Baranski, {Michael F.} and Hannah Burgess and Benz, {Annika B.E.} and Maysa DeSousa and Nylin, {Catherine E.} and Brooks, {Janae C.} and Goldsmith, {Caitlyn M.} and Benson, {Jessica M.} and Griffin, {Siobh{\'a}n M.} and Stephen Dunne and Davis, {William E.} and Watermeyer, {Tam J.} and Meese, {William B.} and Howell, {Jennifer L.} and {Standiford Reyes}, Laurel and Strickland, {Megan G.} and Dickerson, {Sally S.} and Samantha Pescatore and Shayna Skakoon-Sparling and Wunder, {Zachary I.} and Day, {Martin V.} and Shawna Brenton and Linden, {Audrey H.} and Hawk, {Christopher E.} and O{\textquoteright}Brien, {L{\'e}an V.} and Tenzin Urgyen and McDonald, {Jennifer S.} and {van der Schans}, {Kim Lien} and Heidi Blocker and {Ng Tseung-Wong}, Caroline and Jiga-Boy, {Gabriela M.}",

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doi = "10.1038/s41562-024-01907-7",

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Sparacio, A, Ijzerman, H, Ropovik, I, Giorgini, F, Spiessens, C, Uchino, BN, Landvatter, J, Tacana, T, Diller, SJ, Derrick, JL, Segundo, J, Pierce, JD, Ross, RM, Francis, Z, LaBoucane, A, Ma-Kellams, C, Ford, MB, Schmidt, K, Wong, CC, Higgins, WC, Stone, BM, Stanley, SK, Ribeiro, G, Fuglestad, PT, Jaklin, V, Kübler, A, Ziebell, P, Jewell, CL, Kovas, Y, Allahghadri, M, Fransham, C, Baranski, MF, Burgess, H, Benz, ABE, DeSousa, M, Nylin, CE, Brooks, JC, Goldsmith, CM, Benson, JM, Griffin, SM, Dunne, S, Davis, WE, Watermeyer, TJ, Meese, WB, Howell, JL, Standiford Reyes, L, Strickland, MG, Dickerson, SS, Pescatore, S, Skakoon-Sparling, S, Wunder, ZI, Day, MV, Brenton, S, Linden, AH, Hawk, CE, O’Brien, LV, Urgyen, T, McDonald, JS, van der Schans, KL, Blocker, H, Ng Tseung-Wong, C & Jiga-Boy, GM 2024, 'Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study', Nature Human Behaviour, vol. 8, no. 9, pp. 1716-1725. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01907-7

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T1 - Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study

AU - Sparacio, Alessandro

AU - Ijzerman, Hans

AU - Ropovik, Ivan

AU - Giorgini, Filippo

AU - Spiessens, Christoph

AU - Uchino, Bert N.

AU - Landvatter, Joshua

AU - Tacana, Tracey

AU - Diller, Sandra J.

AU - Derrick, Jaye L.

AU - Segundo, Joahana

AU - Pierce, Jace D.

AU - Ross, Robert M.

AU - Francis, Zoë

AU - LaBoucane, Amanda

AU - Ma-Kellams, Christine

AU - Ford, Maire B.

AU - Schmidt, Kathleen

AU - Wong, Celia C.

AU - Higgins, Wendy C.

AU - Stone, Bryant M.

AU - Stanley, Samantha K.

AU - Ribeiro, Gianni

AU - Fuglestad, Paul T.

AU - Jaklin, Valerie

AU - Kübler, Andrea

AU - Ziebell, Philipp

AU - Jewell, Crystal L.

AU - Kovas, Yulia

AU - Allahghadri, Mahnoosh

AU - Fransham, Charlotte

AU - Baranski, Michael F.

AU - Burgess, Hannah

AU - Benz, Annika B.E.

AU - DeSousa, Maysa

AU - Nylin, Catherine E.

AU - Brooks, Janae C.

AU - Goldsmith, Caitlyn M.

AU - Benson, Jessica M.

AU - Griffin, Siobhán M.

AU - Dunne, Stephen

AU - Davis, William E.

AU - Watermeyer, Tam J.

AU - Meese, William B.

AU - Howell, Jennifer L.

AU - Standiford Reyes, Laurel

AU - Strickland, Megan G.

AU - Dickerson, Sally S.

AU - Pescatore, Samantha

AU - Skakoon-Sparling, Shayna

AU - Wunder, Zachary I.

AU - Day, Martin V.

AU - Brenton, Shawna

AU - Linden, Audrey H.

AU - Hawk, Christopher E.

AU - O’Brien, Léan V.

AU - Urgyen, Tenzin

AU - McDonald, Jennifer S.

AU - van der Schans, Kim Lien

AU - Blocker, Heidi

AU - Ng Tseung-Wong, Caroline

AU - Jiga-Boy, Gabriela M.

PY - 2024/9/1

Y1 - 2024/9/1

N2 - Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744) multi-site study (nsites = 37, nparticipants = 2,239, 70.4% women, Mage = 22.4, s.d.age = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = −0.56; 95% confidence interval, −0.43 to −0.69) between the control condition (M = 1.95, s.d. = 0.50) and the condition with the largest stress reduction (body scan: M = 1.68, s.d. = 0.46). Our findings suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial for reducing self-reported short-term stress for English speakers from higher-income countries.

AB - Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744) multi-site study (nsites = 37, nparticipants = 2,239, 70.4% women, Mage = 22.4, s.d.age = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = −0.56; 95% confidence interval, −0.43 to −0.69) between the control condition (M = 1.95, s.d. = 0.50) and the condition with the largest stress reduction (body scan: M = 1.68, s.d. = 0.46). Our findings suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial for reducing self-reported short-term stress for English speakers from higher-income countries.

KW - Mindfulness

KW - self-administered mindfulness

KW - self-help mindfulness

KW - multi-site study

KW - stress reduction

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JO - Nature Human Behaviour

JF - Nature Human Behaviour

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Self-administered mindfulness interventions reduce stress in a large, randomized controlled multi-site study

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Keywords

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