Research & Insights for Workplace Wellbeing

Explore open-access and peer-reviewed research, evidence, expert insights, and practical frameworks, carefully curated and summarised, with clear takeaways to support confident, informed decision-making across the workplace wellbeing industry.

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Improving Employee Well-Being and Effectiveness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Web-Based Psychological Interventions Delivered in the Workplace

Stephany Carolan, Peter R Harris, Kate Cavanagh

Journal of Medical Internet Research

2017 July

DOI: 10.2196/jmir.7583

JMIR Publications

Licence Label: CC BY 4.0

This study brings together evidence from 21 trials of digital mental health programmes used in workplace settings. Overall, these interventions lead to small improvements in employee wellbeing and work-related outcomes such as productivity and engagement. A wide range of approaches are used, including CBT, mindfulness, and stress management, but no single method stands out as more effective than others. Engagement is mixed, with many employees not completing programmes. The research suggests that how interventions are designed and delivered, including length, use of prompts, and personalised features may play a bigger role in outcomes than the specific therapeutic approach.

This research highlights that digital mental health tools can deliver measurable benefits, but the impact is typically modest

  • Benefits are measurable but relatively small
  • No single intervention type consistently outperforms others
  • Engagement remains a key barrier, with many users not completing programmes
  • Programme design, including duration, prompts, and personalisation, may matter more than content alone
  • Workplace outcomes such as productivity are under-measured compared to mental health outcomes
  • More robust, real-world evidence is needed to guide investment and design decisions

© 2017 The Author(s). Published by JMIR Publications. The original work remains the intellectual property of the authors and publisher. Commentary by The Well Crowd. © The Well Crowd Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved. This content provides a summary and independent commentary on the original research and does not reproduce the original publication. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or medical advice. No part of this content may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission.

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