The Lancet Public Health
December 18, 2017
Julieta Galante, Géraldine Dufour, Maris Vainre et al.
508 citations
University students who completed an 8-week mindfulness course (Mindfulness Skills for Students) plus usual mental health support reported less psychological distress during exams than those receiving usual support alone. In a randomized trial of 616 students at the University of Cambridge, mean distress scores were 0.87 in the mindfulness group versus 1.11 in the control group, a moderate effect. 37% of mindfulness participants had distress above a clinical threshold compared to 57% of controls. On average, six students needed to be offered the course to prevent one from experiencing clinical distress levels. No adverse reactions related to self-harm or suicidality occurred. The findings suggest mindfulness training can be an effective component of a broader student mental health strategy.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
June 30, 2014
Julieta Galante, Ignacio Galante, Marie‐jet Bekkers et al.
379 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials found that kindness-based meditation (loving-kindness and compassion meditation) moderately reduces self-reported depression and increases mindfulness, compassion, and self-compassion compared to passive control groups. Positive emotions also increased compared to progressive relaxation. However, results were inconclusive against active controls, and the evidence suffered from low to moderate methodological quality and imprecision due to small studies. Some people may initially find the practice challenging. Overall, kindness-based meditation shows benefits for well-being and social interaction, but larger, well-conducted trials are needed.
Nature. Mental health
July 10, 2023
Julieta Galante, Claire Friedrich, Napaporn Aeamla-Or et al.
102 citations
Mindfulness-based programmes reduce psychological distress (anxiety and depression) in community adults who volunteer to participate, with a small to moderate effect size. The analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials with 2,371 participants from 8 countries found a standardized mean difference of -0.32, with high confidence in the result. The effect was not clearly influenced by participants' baseline distress level, gender, age, education, or dispositional mindfulness. More research is needed to understand why outcomes vary between individuals.
Mindfulness
April 13, 2023
Julieta Galante, Andrea Grabovac, Malcolm Wright et al.
82 citations
About half of the millions of people who learn mindfulness meditation continue regular practice after initial instruction, but it is unclear whether benefits increase with ongoing practice or whether harm can occur. Evidence shows a wide range of experiences from positive to challenging and potentially harmful. Complex interactions and temporal sequences may explain these experiences and their links to health and well-being. Effects may vary systematically due to factors like initial dosage, accumulated practice, developing skill, and interactions with past experiences and environment. The authors call for interdisciplinary, ontologically agnostic research using longitudinal models and insights from contemplative traditions to develop safer, more effective applications.
Journal of research in nursing
November 29, 2012
Julieta Galante, Sarah Iribarren, Patricia F. Pearce
78 citations
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduces the rate of depression relapse by 40% in patients with three or more previous episodes of major depression after one year of follow-up. This conclusion comes from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials, most of which evaluated depression and compared MBCT added to usual treatment against usual treatment alone. Other outcomes for depression and anxiety showed significant results but were unstable in sensitivity analyses. The methodological quality of the included reports was moderate. MBCT is an effective intervention for this specific patient population.
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
September 10, 2020
Julieta Galante, Jan Stochl, Géraldine Dufour et al.
69 citations
Providing an 8-week mindfulness course to university students improved self-reported psychological distress and mental well-being for up to a year compared to usual mental health support, with larger effects during stressful periods. No differences were detected in use of counseling services or workload management, and no adverse effects related to self-harm or suicidality were found. The findings suggest mindfulness training increases resilience to stress, though loss to follow-up was a limitation.
Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being
June 23, 2016
Julieta Galante, Marie‐jet Bekkers, Clive Mitchell et al.
55 citations
An online loving-kindness meditation course and a light physical exercise course both improved well-being, with no significant difference between them. Participants in the meditation course were less anxious than those in the exercise course. They were also more likely to donate money to charity, though this result was not statistically significant. The meditation course was emotionally intense, generating deep reflections and increased feelings of connectedness, but was difficult for some to process. The exercise course led to gentle increases in relaxation and a sense of achievement. Attrition was high at 82%.
BMJ Open
November 1, 2016
Julieta Galante, Géraldine Dufour, Alice Benton et al.
46 citations
A pragmatic randomized controlled trial will test whether an 8-week mindfulness course, offered preventatively to University of Cambridge students free from active crises or severe mental illness, reduces psychological distress during exams and improves resilience to stress for at least one year, compared to usual mental health provision. At least 550 students will be randomly assigned to the course or to standard care. Psychological distress will be measured at baseline, after the intervention, during exams, and at one-year follow-up. The trial will also assess use of mental health services, exam performance, well-being, altruism, and coping. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Scientific Reports
July 1, 2024
Jonathan N. Davies, Anna Faschinger, Julieta Galante et al.
45 citations
Between 2002 and 2022, the use of meditation, yoga, and guided imagery or progressive relaxation among US adults rose significantly. By 2022, 18.3% (60.53 million) practiced meditation, 16.8% (55.78 million) practiced yoga, and 6.7% (22.22 million) used guided imagery or progressive relaxation. Growth was widespread across sociodemographic groups, but people of 'Other' race (54% Indigenous Americans) and those with moderate psychological distress were overrepresented across all practices. Individuals with severe distress were more likely to use meditation and guided imagery or progressive relaxation. Meditation use accelerated among adults aged 65 and older, those not accessing mental health care, and less educated groups, suggesting unmet health needs.
Psychological Medicine
December 7, 2020
Nicholas T. van Dam, Julieta Galante
19 citations
A critique of a recent study on harm after mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs points out serious methodological limitations that undermine confidence in the authors' conclusion that MBSR is no more harmful than no treatment. The original study used a large observational dataset of 2,155 participants alongside active and wait-list arms of randomized controlled trials (156 and 118 participants respectively). The critique argues that despite the seemingly conclusive finding, the methods employed have potentially serious flaws.
Clinical Psychological Science
January 6, 2025
Nicholas T. van Dam, Jessica Targett, Jonathan N. Davies et al.
14 citations
Meditation use in the United States is about as common as accessing mental health services, making it important to understand its potential harms. In a survey of 886 U.S. adults, nearly all (96.6%) reported an unusual experience related to meditation, 58.4% reported an adverse effect on a standard inventory, 78.3% endorsed at least one item on a scale of meditation-related adverse effects, 31.4% said they had a challenging, difficult, or distressing experience, and 9.1% reported functional impairment due to such effects. Psychological distress, psychoticism, unusual beliefs, and attending a meditation retreat were each linked to more unusual experiences and adverse effects. The authors recommend informing potential meditators about possible experiences, considering risk factors, and routinely monitoring for adverse effects.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
April 14, 2023
Anum Sarfraz, Salma Siddiqui, Julieta Galante et al.
14 citations
A pilot randomized controlled trial tested the feasibility of an online Mindfulness Training Course (MTC) adapted for Pakistani university students. 156 students were randomly assigned to MTC or a wait-list control; 102 completed surveys, and 18 MTC participants were interviewed. The MTC group showed higher mindfulness and psychological wellbeing and lower stress compared to controls. Attrition was high, but completers gave positive feedback. The study suggests a larger trial is feasible with revised recruitment to reduce dropout.
June 23, 2023
Nicholas Bowles, Jonathan N. Davies, Sarah Strohmaier et al.
10 citations
preprint
Mindfulness meditation is widely practiced in religious and secular settings, with many studies suggesting benefits for psychosocial well-being. Yet little is known about dose-response effects—how often or how long one must practice to achieve specific goals. Recommended practice durations are becoming shorter, but the impact of this reduction on outcomes is unclear. This review critically appraises evidence from empirical studies, traditional sources, and contemporary teaching trends. It argues that previous studies' limited dose ranges and analytic approaches hinder understanding of dose-response. The authors propose a research agenda prioritizing dose-response questions, using designs optimized to examine how the relationship varies by outcome and individual, which could reconcile conflicting knowledge and tailor mindfulness offerings.
Mindfulness
June 1, 2024
Nicholas T. Dam, Jessica Targett, Alex Burger et al.
9 citations
A new questionnaire, the Inventory of Meditation Experiences (IME), captures a wide range of meditation-related experiences, from pleasant to unpleasant and mild to intense. Developed with data from 886 US meditators, the final 30-item scale has three factors and shows good statistical fit. The IME correlates as expected with measures of adverse effects, meditation habits, and mental health symptoms. The tool allows researchers to assess both the intensity and subjective valence of experiences separately or together, offering a more nuanced way to study the full spectrum of meditation-related psychological states.
BMC psychology
October 21, 2024
Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Kee Lee Chou, Steven H Zarit et al.
8 citations
A single-session mindfulness-based intervention combined with app-based follow-up may reduce stress in family caregivers of people with dementia. This trial will test the effectiveness and feasibility of a 90-minute group session with mindfulness practices and psychoeducation, plus an 8-week self-practice toolkit and online sharing, compared to an education session on dementia care. The study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months. Primary outcome is perceived caregiving stress; secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, positive aspects of caregiving, dyadic relationship, trait mindfulness, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients. Feasibility outcomes include eligibility, enrollment, attendance, adherence, and retention.
PLoS One
July 17, 2024
Julieta Galante, Jesus Montero-Marin, Maris Vainre et al.
8 citations
A randomized controlled trial found that participants who completed an 8-week mindfulness-based program reported altered states of consciousness—including experiences of unity, transcendence of time and space, and feelings of bliss—that persisted up to a year later. Compared to a control group, those in the mindfulness program showed significantly higher scores on measures of altered states at both post-intervention and 12-month follow-up. The findings suggest that mindfulness training can produce enduring changes in subjective experience beyond the meditation session itself.
BMJ Open
November 23, 2023
Adam P Wagner, Julieta Galante, Géraldine Dufour et al.
7 citations
Providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce psychological distress is not cost-effective compared with usual support, according to an economic evaluation of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. The intervention was more costly and produced no significant improvement in quality-adjusted life years or psychological distress outcomes, suggesting it does not represent good value for money.
Mindfulness
March 1, 2025
Julieta Galante, Nicholas T. Van Dam
6 citations
The authors critique a proposal to broaden the definition of mindfulness to include diverse contemplative practices, arguing instead to move the term away from the spotlight and study contemplative practices with more precise academic terms. They contend that comparing mindfulness and public health is a category error: mindfulness is a set of practices, while public health is a field defined by application. Reframing mindfulness as an aid to public health, rather than a replacement, clarifies its potential as an individual-level component of multi-level interventions addressing social determinants of health. Realizing this requires collaborative partnerships between mindfulness developers and independent public health researchers, using participatory methods to assess community needs.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
December 15, 2017
Tom B. Mole, Julieta Galante, Iona C. Walker et al.
6 citations
A smartphone app called The MindfulBreather uses built-in gyroscope and touchscreen sensors to provide real-time feedback on breath-awareness during meditation, without requiring external hardware. The app guides users to place the phone on their abdomen and tap at the peak of inhalation; the gyroscope detects breathing-related tilts and generates waveforms. Tapping patterns are analyzed to determine psychobiological synchronization. The app then provides pleasant sounds for correctly timed breaths and records mindful breaths. The paper outlines the technological concept only; future studies will evaluate efficacy, validity, and reliability.
PloS one
January 1, 2024
Erik Jönhagen, Tim Wood, Maria Niemi et al.
5 citations
Mindfulness practice can produce intense experiences that for some individuals resemble psychotic-like experiences, according to a qualitative study of 13 mindfulness teacher trainees. Over four months, participants submitted fortnightly meditation reports. Most practitioners frequently described intense experiences during meditation, and in some cases these experiences were similar to psychotic-like experiences. The findings suggest that adverse effects, including intense and potentially psychosis-like experiences, can occur as a natural part of mindfulness practice, raising concerns for both clinical and non-clinical settings.
April 8, 2023
Julieta Galante, Jesús Montero‐marín, Maris Vainre et al.
3 citations
preprint
An 8-week mindfulness-based programme (MBP) led to more intense experiences of unity and disembodiment in daily life compared with mental health support as usual alone. University of Cambridge students without severe mental illness who took the MBP reported stronger feelings of oneness and separation from the body. Meditation practice itself predicted reports of unity, blissful state, insightfulness, disembodiment, and changed meanings. The findings suggest causal links between mindfulness practice and specific altered states of consciousness, and practitioners should anticipate and manage these experiences appropriately.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress
December 1, 2025
Maris Vainre, Tim Dalgleish, Tia Bendriss-Otiko et al.
2 citations
Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) modestly improve task performance—the quantity and quality of completed assigned work—immediately after the intervention compared with doing nothing, but not compared with other active activities. The meta-analysis of 99 studies with 16,054 participants also found benefits for adaptive and contextual performance, and effects may persist for months. However, confidence in these results is very low due to limitations in the evidence. Employers and universities subsidize MBPs to boost work performance despite previously unclear evidence.
BMC psychology
July 1, 2025
Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Kee Lee Chou, Alex Pak Lik Tsang et al.
2 citations
A new closed-loop mindfulness program, delivered partly through a mobile app called Mind & Care, is being tested against a traditional mindfulness program and a brief education control in a randomized controlled trial with 189 family caregivers of people with dementia. The closed-loop program adapts practice durations based on the user's attentional capacity and provides quantifiable feedback to support sustained practice. The primary outcome is perceived stress; secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, peace of mind, caregiving burden, relationship quality, dispositional mindfulness, heart rate variability, and the care recipient's neuropsychiatric symptoms.
May 13, 2024
Nicholas T. van Dam, Jessica Targett, Jonathan N. Davies et al.
2 citations
preprint
Meditation use is now as common as mental health service access. In a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 886 US adults, 96.6% reported an unusual experience related to meditation, 58.4% reported an adverse effect (AE), 78.3% endorsed at least one item on the Meditation-related AEs Scale, 31.4% reported a challenging, difficult, or distressing experience, and 9.1% reported functional impairment due to AEs. Psychological distress, psychoticism, unusual beliefs, and meditation retreat participation were positively associated with unusual experiences and AEs. The findings suggest that potential meditators should be informed about possible experiences, providers should consider risk factors, and AEs should be routinely and actively monitored.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
December 4, 2025
Jonathan N Davies, Cate Bailey, Julieta Galante et al.
1 citation
About 41.5% of Australian and 35.7% of New Zealand adults have ever used meditation, with 32.8% and 24.9% using it in the past year. Younger age and higher education consistently predicted past-year use in both countries. In Australia, additional predictors included female gender, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ancestry, unmet mental health care needs, and receipt of complementary care. In New Zealand, identifying as LGBTQIA+ was a strong positive predictor, while not receiving medical care was linked to lower odds. Over 21.7% of Australian and 17.6% of New Zealand meditators reported a meditation-related adverse effect.