The Hidden Complexity of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Group Medical Visits: Comfort, Challenge, and the Influence of Social Determinants of Health

Chronic low back pain is globally prevalent and associated with significant impairment in quality of life. Furthermore, people from historically marginalized communities are less likely to receive treatment, contributing to health inequities. Group mindfulness-based interventions improve pain and function, and virtual delivery has been demonstrated to be feasible. Little is known about how participants experience the virtual delivery of mindfulness-based interventions, especially participants from historically marginalized communities.

This study explored participant perspectives of a virtual mindfulness-based group medical visit for people with chronic low back pain.

Participants were recruited from the intervention arm of OPTIMUM, a study of virtual medical group visits using an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program for chronic low back pain. Semi-structured exit interviews were examined, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to compose key themes.

Interviews from 59 participants (mean 56 years, 69.5% women; 45.8% Black or African American) were examined. Two major themes were derived from analysis. The first theme was 'effects of the external environment,' ie, the physical location from which the participant engaged with the session. The subthemes were comfort, social demands in the home setting, and sharing personal spaces. The second theme was 'navigating the virtual platform.' Subthemes were ease, struggle, and levels of support.

Patient experiences varied substantially during the virtual mindfulness-based group medical visit intervention and this variation was influenced by social determinants of health. The key themes bring attention to the effects of the external environment and the technology itself on participation for people from historically marginalized communities. Basic tenets of mindfulness, such as present state awareness and equanimity, can provide a structure within which to navigate virtual participation amid home environments. Future studies are needed to explore differences in virtual and in-person mindfulness programs and to adapt virtual mindfulness programs.

NCT04129450.