Boosting effects of mindfulness-based intervention with a multi-modal adaptive supplement: a preliminary investigation

Recently, scientists have advocated for the use of multi-modal adaptive supplements to mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) to boost program efficacy. A theoretical mechanism underlying MBI benefits is that high mindfulness buffers against mental health problems in the face of stressors. We investigated whether a multi-modal supplement to an MBI boosts mindfulness stress buffering effects relative to a standard MBI and an active control using a pilot randomized controlled trial within an existing mentoring program, Campus Connections. Participants were 98 mentors and mentees randomized to mentoring alone, MBI with mentoring, or MBI with multi-modal supplement and mentoring. Participants completed daily diaries for 6 days at baseline and program end to assess daily stressors, mindfulness, and mental health symptoms. Analyses focused on within-person intraindividual variability. Results indicated that there was no evidence for mindfulness stress buffering for any condition at baseline. Those who received mentoring alone continued to show no evidence of mindfulness stress buffering at posttest. In contrast, at posttest those who received MBI with mentoring displayed some evidence for mindfulness stress buffering in that their mental health concerns were buffered from deleterious effects of stress only on days when they maintained higher than average mindfulness. At posttest, participants who received MBI with the multi-modal supplement and mentoring displayed stronger mindfulness stress buffering effects, as daily stress was no longer related to their mental health symptoms. This study provides initial support that a multi-modal supplement to an MBI can boost mindfulness stress buffering effects.