Digital and In-Person Mindfulness-Based Interventions for University Students' Mental Health: A Systematic Review of
Sharmistha Roy1, Amar Kanekar2, Ashis Kumar Biswas3
1Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Mindfulness interventions effectively reduce depression and anxiety in university students. Digital and in-person formats show comparable results, with guided, multi-week programs offering the best outcomes for student mental health.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health Research
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- University students face significant psychological distress from academic, social, and financial pressures.
- Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are scalable mental health solutions.
- Limited evidence exists comparing MBI effectiveness across different delivery formats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effectiveness of MBIs in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression among university students.
- To compare outcomes of in-person, digital, and hybrid MBI modalities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from January 2020 to December 2025.
- Searched major databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, etc.) and assessed study quality using Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
Main Results:
- 24 RCTs included, primarily from the US and China.
- MBIs consistently reduced depression and positively impacted anxiety; stress reduction effects were variable.
- Digital MBIs were as effective as in-person programs, with guided, multi-week formats showing enhanced outcomes.
Conclusions:
- MBIs are effective for improving university student mental health, especially for depression and anxiety.
- Guided, multi-week digital interventions show promise for scalability and effectiveness.
- Further research can optimize MBI delivery for diverse student populations.
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