For the study, the researchers split socially anxious volunteers into three groups — one was asked to perform random acts
of kindness, one was told to follow the
usual course of exposure
therapy and force themselves to participate in more social situations, and another was a control group who did nothing special.
There is growing evidence for online mindfulness
courses being as effective as other face - to - face interventions and online
courses for stress even without a therapeutic alliance.37 — 40 Previously found Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) effect sizes are comparable to those found with face - to - face mindfulness and CBT interventions, including our previous research examining the
course currently under investigation.40 — 42 One RCT found that an automated internet - based
therapy including CBT and mindfulness actually had better outcomes for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) than the comparative online therapist - led intervention, suggesting that the effects
of internet interventions can not be attributed to, and do not rely on, therapist interaction.43 Studies are finding that online mindfulness
courses can be beneficial for depression in samples with IBS and epilepsy and anxiety symptoms in a non-clinical sample comparing a 3 - week mindfulness
course with positive psychology interventions and treatment as
usual (see Monshat38 for a review).