Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
April 28, 2011
Lone Overby Fjorback, Mikkel Arendt, Eva Ørnbøl et al.
810 citations
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) improves mental health and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduces the risk of depressive relapse. The review included 21 studies with at least 33 participants each. MBSR showed medium effect sizes in 11 studies compared to wait-list or treatment as usual, and was as effective as active control groups in three studies. MBCT reduced depressive relapse in two studies and was equally effective as treatment as usual or active control in two others. Limitations include a lack of active control groups and long-term follow-up in many studies.
Social science & medicine (1982)
August 1, 2025
Lise Juul, Morten Frydenberg, Emilie Hasager Bonde et al.
12 citations
A nationwide cluster-randomized trial in Danish elementary schools tested whether training teachers to deliver a ten-session mindfulness program improved student mental health. Among 1,728 students in grades 4–9, including 351 identified as at-risk, no statistically significant benefit was found on the primary outcome (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Total Difficulties Score) at eight months; the effect size for at-risk students was negligible (Cohen's d = 0.05). Secondary analyses suggested the intervention may have increased perceived hyperactivity and inattention, especially among boys and younger students, and worsened self-rated health among at-risk students. The authors call for further research into mechanisms and implementation fidelity.
Frontiers in psychology
January 1, 2023
Lise Juul, Emilie Hasager Bonde, Lone Overby Fjorback
5 citations
In a randomized controlled trial across 110 Danish schools, 191 teachers received Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or were placed on a wait-list. After 3 and 6 months, MBSR reduced perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and improved well-being. These improvements were partly explained by changes in self-reported resting state: less mind wandering (Discontinuity of Mind), more planning, and greater comfort. Changes in sleepiness also partially explained effects on stress and anxiety. No mediating effects were found for theory of mind, self-awareness, or somatic awareness. The findings suggest that altering resting state is one mechanism through which MBSR benefits mental health.
Social science & medicine (1982)
November 19, 2025
Hanne Landgrebe Axelsen, Anna Glavind Müller, Lone Overby Fjorback et al.
A cluster-randomized trial in Denmark tested a year-long mindfulness-based teacher training program across 110 schools. Teachers who completed the program reported a small but significant reduction in perceived stress 12 months later compared with a wait-list control group. No significant effect was found on resilience. The findings suggest that such training may help reduce long-term stress among self-selected schoolteachers.
Pilot and feasibility studies
June 21, 2025
Sine Skovbjerg, Michelle Kolls, Anette Kjærbye-Thygesen et al.
A feasibility trial of prenatal mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for pregnant women with psychosocial vulnerabilities found the intervention feasible in a clinical setting, supporting a future randomized controlled trial. Of 123 eligible women, 73 (59.3%) consented; 37 were assigned to MBSR and 36 to a waitlist. Only 54.1% of the intervention group completed the program, and loss to follow-up was high (56.8% intervention, 50% control). Secondary outcomes—mental well-being, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, decentering, mindfulness, and self-compassion—trended in expected directions except for reflective functioning. Strategies to improve adherence and reduce missing data are recommended.