Combining non-invasive brain stimulation with mindfulness-based interventions shows a large effect on anxiety symptoms compared to control interventions, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of twelve randomized controlled trials. The effect on depression symptoms was small-to-medium and not statistically significant. The combined treatment was feasible and well tolerated. The evidence for anxiety is of moderate certainty, while for depression it is low. Future research should explore which combinations work best by examining neural correlates and should familiarize patients with mindfulness before starting the combined treatment.
Combining mindfulness training with non-invasive brain stimulation may have synergistic effects on mental health, but this emerging field has not yet been systematically reviewed. This protocol outlines a planned systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that test the combination of these two interventions in humans. The primary outcomes are changes in anxiety and depression symptoms; secondary outcomes include other mental health measures. Searches of four databases and three trial registries began in November 2022. Two authors will independently extract data, assess bias with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and evaluate evidence strength using GRADE. The review aims to determine whether a quantitative synthesis is appropriate based on clinical heterogeneity.