BMC complementary medicine and therapies
April 5, 2023
Maitreyi Raman, Ramana Vishnubhotla, Hena R Ramay et al.
25 citations
Participation in an advanced meditation program (Samyama) combined with a vegan diet including 50% raw foods was associated with changes in gut microbiome composition and metabolite profiles. In 288 subjects, beta diversity of gut bacteria shifted significantly after the program in meditators compared to household controls, while alpha diversity did not differ. After a two-month preparation phase involving daily yoga and meditation, meditators showed higher levels of the branched short-chain fatty acids iso-valerate and iso-butyrate. Some beneficial bacteria increased and persisted three months after the program ended. The findings suggest diet and meditation together can alter the gut microbiome, but further research is needed to understand mechanisms and effects on mood.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
September 8, 2023
Chuyuan Miao, Yun Gao, Xiaohua Li et al.
19 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials (581 participants) examined whether mindfulness yoga helps people with major depressive disorder. The analysis found that mindfulness yoga significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to control conditions, though the evidence was not conclusive enough to firmly recommend it. During follow-up, two trials showed a significant benefit. The authors suggest mindfulness yoga may be a feasible, acceptable, and promising intervention for depression.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
July 21, 2023
Nina Laplaud, Anaïck Perrochon, Matthieu Gallou-Guyot et al.
16 citations
Yoga therapy appears promising for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adults. An overview of 11 systematic reviews (including 8 with meta-analyses) covering 59 randomized controlled trials with 4,434 participants found that yoga had a significant small-to-moderate effect on decreasing PTSD symptoms in 7 reviews, while 1 review reported non-significant effects. All systematic reviews without meta-analysis found beneficial effects. However, results should be interpreted cautiously because 7 of the 11 reviews were rated as having critically low quality, and secondary outcomes such as long-term efficacy, safety, and adherence were not sufficiently assessed to provide clear evidence.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
May 17, 2024
Yong-Yao Wu, Yi-Yi Gao, Jing-Qiao Wang et al.
14 citations
Adding mindfulness meditation and progressive muscle relaxation to standard dialysis care improved exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with sarcopenia on maintenance haemodialysis. After 12 weeks, the intervention group showed significant gains in sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength, and time to 10 sit-ups compared with controls. Scores on multiple dimensions of the KDQOL, including physical function, role-physical, general health, energy, and emotional well-being, also improved. Inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased, while albumin and prealbumin levels increased. The combined training can improve motor ability and quality of life within a short period.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
November 4, 2024
Nolwenn Marie, Yannick Lafon, Aminata Bicego et al.
13 citations
Shamanic trances are non-pathological altered states of consciousness that differ from normal waking states in phenomenology and neurophysiology. A review of 27 studies classified findings into four dimensions: phenomenology, psychology, neuro-physiological functions, and clinical applications. The trances are influenced by multiple personal and environmental variables and may offer therapeutic potential, but the evidence is preliminary and requires rigorous studies to assess effectiveness for complementary therapies. The review highlights shamanic trance as a multifaceted area of study at the intersections of consciousness, spirituality, and therapy.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
October 14, 2023
S Skovbjerg, A Sumbundu, M Kolls et al.
11 citations
Pregnant women with a preconception history of mental disorders or psychosocial vulnerabilities are at increased risk of perinatal stress and mental health problems. This protocol describes a randomized trial testing an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program added to usual care versus usual care alone in 240 such women recruited from a Danish hospital. The primary outcome is mental wellbeing nine months after randomization; secondary outcomes include stress, anxiety, depression, and childbirth experiences. Mindfulness and self-compassion will be examined as possible mediators. The authors suggest MBSR could offer a non-pharmacological approach to improve mental health and reduce stress during pregnancy.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
April 4, 2024
Michael Christopher, Sarah Bowen, Katie Witkiewitz et al.
9 citations
Law enforcement officers face high stress that harms mental health and can lead to aggression and excessive force. A multi-site, randomized, single-blind clinical feasibility trial tested mindfulness-based resilience training (MBRT) against stress management education and a no-intervention control. The study aimed to refine protocols for a future full-scale trial. Recruitment, retention, and acceptability of MBRT were high, and assessment and intervention protocols were delivered with fidelity. Several physiological and self-report measures showed responsiveness to change. These results prepare for a larger trial testing whether MBRT improves officer health and resilience and reduces aggression and excessive use of force, benefiting communities.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
January 2, 2024
Sean Ferkul, Zena Agabani, Osamu Minami et al.
8 citations
A virtual Mantram Repetition Program—a brief, mindfulness-based, non-trauma-focused group intervention—was feasible, acceptable, and safe for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder. Over 8 weeks, groups of 4–5 participants met via Webex for 90-minute sessions. Of 43 enrolled, 5 did not start and 8 dropped out, leaving 35 completers (81.4% retention). Treatment completion and retention exceeded 70%. Qualitative feedback highlighted the acceptability of the delivery method, informative materials, and gaining a practical mindfulness tool for symptom management. Further longitudinal trials comparing the virtual program to other interventions are needed.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
July 17, 2023
Jojo Yan Yan Kwok, Man Auyeung, Shirley Yin Yu Pang et al.
6 citations
A trial will test whether individual mindfulness techniques—meditation or yoga—help Parkinson's disease patients manage anxiety and depression, which affect 40–50% of patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to meditation, yoga, or usual care for 8 weeks. The study measures anxiety, depression, motor and non-motor symptoms, quality of life, mindfulness, and stress biomarkers at baseline, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks. Qualitative interviews with 30 participants per intervention group will explore their experiences. The research aims to inform community-based, nurse-led compassionate care models for neurodegenerative conditions.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
February 26, 2025
Yun-Han Wang, Yun-Lin Wang, Dara Kiu Yi Leung et al.
5 citations
An eight-week age-modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program, led either by a mindfulness teacher alone or co-led with a social worker, reduced depressive symptoms and stress and increased mindful non-reactivity in older adults at risk for depression, compared to usual care. Among 112 older adults recruited from community centers in Hong Kong, those in either MBCT group showed significantly greater improvements post-intervention and four weeks later. Anxiety and overall mindfulness did not differ between groups. The teacher-led and social-worker/teacher co-led groups produced equivalent benefits, supporting partial task-shifting of MBCT delivery to trained social workers to improve accessibility.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
July 3, 2025
Yanping Wei, Yifei Xu, Wanlin Chen et al.
4 citations
Heart rate variability (HRV) can reveal the effects of mindfulness, but the pattern of change differs between novice and experienced practitioners. In a 14-day mindfulness training study with 46 participants (20 experienced, 26 novices), both groups showed significant changes in HRV indices (RMSSD, SDNN, LnHF) from baseline to mindfulness practice or afterward. Experienced practitioners exhibited significant fluctuations during mindfulness (in SD1/SD2, Sample Entropy, normalized High Frequency, DFA_α1, and DFA_α2) that recovered afterward, while novices showed only monotonic changes in SD1/SD2 and DFA_α1. These distinct patterns suggest that practice experience influences the physiological response to mindfulness.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
July 3, 2025
Elnaz Lashgari, Emma Chen, Jackson Gregory et al.
2 citations
A systematic review of 63 studies involving 1,838 participants examined the effects of flotation-REST, a technique using a tank of buoyant saltwater to minimize sensory input. Flotation-REST was found to bring about positive effects on pain, athletic performance, stress, mental well-being, and clinical anxiety, while having limited to no effect on sleep-related disorders and smoking cessation. The review categorizes applications into nine areas and notes that more research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and identify optimal treatment protocols.
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.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
December 22, 2025
Mary C Frazier, Masha Remskar, Samantha M Harden et al.
Yoga is a popular intervention for mental health and wellbeing, but how it is defined and described in research varies widely, hindering replication and practical use. This systematic review analyzed 129 randomized controlled trials from 2013 to 2024 and found that yoga is most often operationalized as a mind-body or mind-body-spirit practice that includes physical postures, meditation, and breathing exercises. Some studies also frame yoga as a complementary and alternative medicine or as a broader system encompassing philosophy and practices. The review provides recommendations to improve how yoga interventions are reported, aiming to support clearer translation and implementation in mental health settings.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
March 29, 2025
Burcu Göz Tebrizcik, Alexandra L Georgescu, Eleanor J Dommett
Most adults with ADHD are not currently practicing mindfulness but are willing to do so and believe it is feasible to engage in body scan meditation. Symptom severity and available space predicted willingness. Preferences include professional classes and one to two body scan sessions per week. These findings support the development of large-scale studies on body scan-based interventions for ADHD.