The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health among university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frontiers in public health January 1, 2023 Xinyi Zuo, Yong Tang, Yifang Chen et al. 56 citations
A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials with 1,824 participants found that mindfulness therapy had small but significant positive effects on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality. Depression scores improved moderately (standardized mean difference -0.33), anxiety improved similarly (-0.35), stress showed a slightly larger effect (-0.39), and sleep quality improved substantially (-0.81). However, mindfulness therapy did not significantly change mindfulness itself compared to control groups. The authors suggest future research should investigate whether improving adherence and fidelity to mindfulness therapy can further enhance mental health outcomes.