Rodriguez 2021.
| Study characteristics | |
| Methods |
Study design: RCT Duration of study: the study was conducted in May 2018. Country: China Income classification: upper‐middle income country in 2018 Geographical scope: Beijing Healthcare setting: home |
| Participants | 1. Age: mean age was 23.5 years (SD 3.17). 2. Gender: both 3. Socioeconomic background: not specified 4. Educational background: 29 (54%) were master’s students, 21 (39%) were undergraduate students, and 4 (7%) were doctoral students. Inclusion criteria: a. currently enrolled in a university in China (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral); b. has a smartphone and regular access to the internet; c. demonstrates the ability to read and understand Mandarin; d. reports passing at least College English Test (level 4); e. experiences at least mild depression and anxiety. Exclusion criteria: a. aged < 18 years; b. does not provide proof of current student status and emergency contact; c. currently experiences manic or psychotic symptoms; d. expresses suicidal or homicidal ideation during the intake phone interview. Note: at baseline, the intervention and control group scores for Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) were, respectively, 11.56 (5.3) and 9.70 (4.7). At baseline, the intervention and control group scores for Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7) were, respectively, 8.96 (4.2) and 8.33 (4.0). At baseline, the intervention and control group scores for Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐21) were, respectively, 9.48 (3.3) and 8.31 (3.5). Stated purpose: to examine whether an adjunctive, task‐shifting component (MIND+) enhances treatment engagement in a mindfulness intervention for stress and depression amongst Chinese undergraduate and graduate students |
| Interventions |
Name: MIND+—internet‐based mindfulness intervention (Be Mindful internet‐based and self‐guided course) plus peer counsellor support Title/name of PW and number: 4 volunteer peer counsellors 1. Selection Peer coaches' inclusion criteria: is currently enrolled in a university in Beijing (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral); has a smartphone and regular access to the internet; demonstrates the ability to read and communicate in Mandarin and English; is willing to provide brief (15‐20 minute) peer‐support chats per week per participant; is willing to participate in web‐based group supervision for 1 hour per week; is willing to complete the internet‐based mindfulness intervention. Exclusion criteria: is aged < 18 years; reports previous or current format training in mindfulness or psychotherapy; reports current treatment (psychotherapy or medication) for a mental health problem; is unable to attend the day‐long, in‐person training in Beijing. We selected 4 individuals as peer counsellors based on their English proficiency, reported level of enthusiasm for the project, and the researchers’ assessment of their nonspecific factors. 2. Educational background: university students 3. Training: in‐person training took place for 8 hours in Beijing; training was didactic and experimental; candidates were given opportunities to practice using the skills in dyads and to receive coaching and feedback; training was provided by the first author and research assistants. 4. Supervision: weekly group supervision with research coordinator (MR), 2 research assistants, and the 4 peer counsellors 5. Incentives/remuneration: participants were compensated for completing the baseline questionnaire packet, post‐treatment questionnaires, and for responding to each daily assessment; the total amount that the participants could make from this course was approximately US $28. Prevention type: indicated – participants were included on the basis of the presence of mild depressive and anxiety symptoms, but all those who presented severe psychiatric symptoms were excluded. Intervention details: 4‐week internet‐based mindfulness intervention plus peer counsellor support. The Be Mindful course is an internet‐based mindfulness training programme produced by Wellmind Media. “Be Mindful delivers all the elements of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy in an internet‐based course that can be completed in 4 weeks” (self‐guided course). In MIND+ condition, peer counsellors were encouraged to provide a brief (15‐20 minutes) weekly meeting to support and encourage participants in their completion of the internet‐based intervention. Control: other (MIND [only] intervention – Be Mindful internet‐based and self‐guided course) |
| Outcomes |
Participants’outcomes of interest for this review
Carers’ outcomes of interest for this review Nil Economic outcomes Nil Time points: baseline, post‐intervention (< 1 month) |
| Notes |
Source of funding: not specified Notes on validation of instruments (screening and outcomes): for the PHQ‐9, the Cronbach α reliability coefficient in this sample was 0.85. For GAD‐7, the Cronbach α reliability coefficient in this sample was 0.87. For DASS‐21, the Cronbach α reliability coefficients for depression, anxiety, and stress in this sample were 0.82, 0.74, and 0.77, respectively. Additional information: none Handling the data: not applicable Prospective trial registration number: not specified |