Group, One-on-One, or Internet? Preferences for Mindfulness Meditation Delivery Format and their Predictors

Abstract

Objectives-Group mindfulness meditation interventions have improved symptoms in many health conditions. However, many people are unwilling to receive group treatment, so alternative delivery methods such as individual and internet may be a useful option. The study objective was to examine mindfulness meditation intervention delivery format preferences and their relationship to potential predictors.Design-An online survey was conducted of adult English speakers. Data was collected on interest and preference for internet, individual, or group formats of a mindfulness meditation intervention. Age, gender, personality, and posttraumatic stress disorder score and status and depression status were also collected.Results and Conclusions-500 eligible participants completed the survey (mean age 39±15; range 18-70; 68% female). Participants were more interested in the Internet (n=356) and individual formats (n=384) than the group format (n=245). Fifty-five participants (11%) said they would refuse a group format. Internet was the first choice format for most participants (Internet 212 (43%), Individual 187 (38%), Group 97 (20%) and group was the last choice for most participants (Internet 140 (29%), Individual 70 (14%), Group 279 (57%)). Age, extraversion and emotional stability were significant in predicting first choice format. These results support the need for more research and implementation of alternative mindfulness meditation intervention delivery formats. Future research will incorporate additional predictors and include a broader range of participants.

Meditation in Stressed Older Adults: Improvements in Self-Rated Mental Health Not Paralleled by Improvements in Cognitive Function or Physiological Measures

“…A recent survey comparing on-line, one-on-one, and group delivery of MM training suggested that one-on-one was at least as acceptable as group (Wahbeh, Lane, et al, 2014; Wahbeh, Svalina, et al, 2014). A group setting might produce improvements because of group cohesion and social support.…”

“…It is based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2002) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (Kabat-Zinn et al, 1992). The one-on-one intervention was chosen for several reasons, including ease of scheduling, ease of re-scheduling any missed appointments, and at least some participant preference compared to a group setting (Wahbeh, Svalina, & Oken, 2014). Participants attended 60–90 minute training sessions once a week for six weeks along with recommended daily home practice.…”

Acceptance lowers stress reactivity: Dismantling mindfulness training in a randomized controlled trial

“…Although there are now multiple evidence-based in-person mindfulness training interventions demonstrating stress buffering effects (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); , a range of 'remote' (e.g., online; smartphone-based) mindfulness interventions are now widely used (Creswell, 2016;Wahbeh et al, 2014). These remote interventions are more accessible, inexpensive, and scalable compared to in-person interventions.…”

Group and Individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Are Both Effective: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Depressed People with a Somatic Disease

“…One study in employees from large healthcare organizations on preferences for MBCT suggests that a subgroup of people preferred individual MBCT rather than group MBCT (Lau et al 2012). Another recent study also suggest that people may prefer individual over group format (Wahbeh et al 2014b). A qualitative study in cardiac patients participating in an MBCT course reported that although many patients found the group experience to be normalizing and supporting (Griffiths et al 2009), some patients found the group sharing frustrating and disappointing.…”