Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Ecological Momentary Interventions: Synthesizing Current Methods and Identifying Directions for Future Research

Understanding how to disseminate mindfulness-based interventions can help address disparities to support service access and reduce psychopathology. Ecological momentary interventions (EMIs), which are provided in real-world environments using technology, incorporate mindfulness procedures. We conducted a systematic review of mindfulness-based EMIs to identify targets for streamlining design and implementation of these interventions. Databases were searched in November, 2022, and screened without publication date restrictions. References from pertinent systematic and meta-analytic reviews were then screened by two authors, with discrepancies resolved by a third author in Covidence at all review stages (i.e., abstract screen; full-text screen) for inclusion. The final number of articles was 82. There was considerable variability in design of mindfulness-based EMIs, and samples were predominantly White or did not report race/ethnicity. Many studies did not report or discuss statistical power, and theoretical orientations of interventions were variable. Feasibility, effects, and moderators are briefly discussed. While mindfulness-based EMIs are touted to increase access to evidence-based interventions and promote psychological well-being, our findings highlight a lack of diverse samples and reporting of essential study characteristics, information regarding whether studies were sufficiently powered, and a lack of standardization in intervention delivery. The question of whether mindfulness-based EMIs are efficacious is obscured by heterogeneity regarding design and implementation of these interventions. Consolidation of common mindfulness-based EMI methods could inform design decisions and adaptations to certain populations.