Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Feb 20, 2022
Date Accepted: Sep 2, 2022
Mining the Gems of a Web-Based Mindfulness Intervention: Qualitative Analysis of Factors Aiding Completion and Implementation
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital health interventions provide a cost effective and accessible means for positive behaviour change. However, high participant attrition is common and facilitators for implementation of behaviours are not well understood.
Objective:
To identify elements of a digital mindfulness course that aided in course completion and implementation of teachings.
Methods:
Inductive thematic analysis was used to assess participants’ comments regarding positive aspects of the online mindfulness course Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance. Participants were ≥18 years who had self-selected to register and had voluntarily completed at least 90% the course. The course comprised educator guided lessons and discussion forums for participant reflection and feedback. Free-text comments were analysed to identify common themes pertaining to elements of the course that aided in course completion and implementation of teachings.
Results:
Of 3355 course completers, 283 participants provided comments related to the research question. Common themes were (1) benefits from the virtual community, (2) appeal of content, (3) enablers to participation and implementation, and (4) benefits noted in oneself. Of subthemes identified, some such as community support, variety of easily implementable content, and free content access, align with that reported previously in the literature, while other subthemes including growing together, repeating the course, evidence-based teaching, and immediate benefits on physical and mental wellbeing, were novel findings.
Conclusions:
Themes identified as key elements for aiding participant completion of a mindfulness digital health intervention, as well as implementation of teachings, may inform the effective design of future digital health interventions to drive positive health behaviours in diverse communities. Future research should focus on understanding motivations for participation, and identification of effective methods for participant retention as well as behaviour change techniques to motivate long-term adherence to healthy behaviours. Clinical Trial: N/A
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