The effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yumiao Fu, Yifan Song, Yining Li, Dalinda Isabel Sanchez-Vidana, Jack Jiaqi Zhang, Way Kwok-Wai Lau, Davynn Gim Hoon Tan, Shirley Pui Ching Ngai, Benson Wui-Man Lau
Scientific reports August 30, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71213-9 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness meditation reduces depressive symptoms in people with depression, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis found a significant effect favoring mindfulness meditation over comparison groups, with a standardized mean difference of -1.14. The findings suggest that mindfulness meditation is an effective evidence-based practice for lowering depressive symptoms during times of increased stress, such as a pandemic.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals with depression |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Covid-19 Depressive symptoms |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness meditation interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to comparison groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Abstract
Currently, 280 million people worldwide experience depression, ranking it third in the global burden of disease. The incidence of depression has risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it essential to examine evidence-based practices in reducing depressive symptoms during this unprecedented time. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to analyze randomized controlled trials during the COVID-19 pandemic that evaluated the effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms in individuals with depression. Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched in November 2023 using search terms including meditation, mindfulness, depression, and depressive symptoms. The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software (Cochrane Collaboration). A random model and Standard Mean Difference analysis with 95% CIs were used for continuous variables. The systematic review included 26 RCT studies. The meta-analysis showed significant effects of mindfulness meditation interventions (SMD = - 1.14; 95% CI - 1.45 to - 0.83; P < 0.001) in reducing depressive symptoms compared to comparison groups. The findings suggest a positive effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms in individuals with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.