The effects of short video app-guided loving-kindness meditation on interpersonal mindfulness, empathy, collaboration, affect, and workplace well-being among working professionals.

Résumé

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of a short video app-guided Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) intervention in enhancing interpersonal mindfulness, empathy, interdisciplinary collaboration, affective states, and workplace well-being among working professionals.METHODS: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 100 full-time employees (aged 25-60), randomly assigned to an intervention group ( = 50) or a control group ( = 50). The intervention group completed daily 3-min LKM sessions for 4 weeks via a secure short video app, while the control group received no intervention. Validated psychological scales were administered at baseline and post-intervention, including the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS), Empathy Scale (ES), Interdisciplinary Collaboration Scale (ICS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form (PANAS-SF), and Workplace Well-being Scale (WWS). A 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA was used to assess group × time interaction effects.RESULTS: Significant group × time interaction effects emerged for all six outcomes. Compared with controls, the intervention group showed greater increases in interpersonal mindfulness ( = 7.789,  = 0.006, η = 0.038), empathy ( = 9.831,  = 0.002, η = 0.048), collaboration ( = 4.832,  = 0.038, η = 0.022), and positive affect ( = 8.580,  = 0.004, η = 0.042), along with reduced negative affect ( = 10.169,  = 0.002, η = 0.049) and improved workplace well-being ( = 5.660,  = 0.018, η = 0.028).CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that short video-based LKM is a feasible and effective digital intervention for cultivating prosocial qualities, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being in workplace settings. The study supports integrating compassion-based practices into organizational wellness initiatives to promote employee functioning and workplace harmony.CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=285511, ChiCTR2500108223.