Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective for improving depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, addiction, psychosis, pain, hypertension, weight control, cancer-related symptoms, and prosocial behaviors. Benefits appear in healthcare, schools, and workplaces, though further research is needed on their efficacy for different problems. Evidence is inconclusive or preliminary for PTSD, ADHD, ASD, eating disorders, loneliness, and physical symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. Many systematic reviews note low quality in included studies, so high-quality trials with adequate sample sizes and longer follow-up are needed. Promising areas for future research include online mindfulness training during the COVID-19 pandemic, deeper understanding of mechanisms, long-term compliance and effects, and personalized mindfulness programs.

Study at a glance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This is an overall review on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). SOURCES OF DATA: We identified studies in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, Web of Science and Google Scholar using keywords including 'mindfulness', 'meditation', and 'review', 'meta-analysis' or their variations. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: MBIs are effective for improving many biopsychosocial conditions, including depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, addiction, psychosis, pain, hypertension, weight control, cancer-related symptoms and prosocial behaviours. It is found to be beneficial in the healthcare settings, in schools and workplace but further research is warranted to look into its efficacy on different problems. MBIs are relatively safe, but ethical aspects should be considered. Mechanisms are suggested in both empirical and neurophysiological findings. Cost-effectiveness is found in treating some health conditions. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Inconclusive or only preliminary evidence on the effects of MBIs on PTSD, ADHD, ASD, eating disorders, loneliness and physical symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. Furthermore, some beneficial effects are not confirmed in subgroup populations. Cost-effectiveness is yet to confirm for many health conditions and populations. GROWING POINTS: Many mindfulness systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate low quality of included studies, hence high-quality studies with adequate sample size and longer follow-up period are needed. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: More research is needed on online mindfulness trainings and interventions to improve biopsychosocial health during the COVID-19 pandemic; Deeper understanding of the mechanisms of MBIs integrating both empirical and neurophysiological findings; Long-term compliance and effects of MBIs; and development of mindfulness plus (mindfulness+) or personalized mindfulness programs to elevate the effectiveness for different purposes.