Mindfulness for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Eduardo Aliende Perin, Nelson Carvas, Vinicius Tassoni Civile, Rosana Zenezi Moreira, Tamara Melnik
Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999) January 1, 2026 DOI: 10.47626/1516-4446-2025-4214 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials involving 499 adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (average age 32.8 years, average disorder duration 9.83 years) found that mindfulness-based interventions did not significantly differ from cognitive-behavioral techniques (including exposure with response prevention, psychoeducation, and cognitive restructuring) in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety, or depression. Dropout rates were similar between groups. A small improvement in mindfulness skills was observed, but it was not clinically relevant. Quality of life findings were inconsistent and could not be pooled. The certainty of evidence ranged from low to high.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 499 |
| Population | Adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based interventions psychoeducation |
| Duration | 2 to 48 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Obsessive-compulsive disorder Psychotherapy Systematic review |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based interventions did not significantly differ from cognitive-behavioral techniques in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety, or depression. |
Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for adults with obsessivecompulsive disorder. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to Cochrane Handbook guidelines. Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mindfulness-based interventions with active control interventions, including cognitive/behavioral techniques and psychoeducation. The outcomes were obsessive-compulsive symptoms, dropout rates, anxiety, depressive symptoms, mindfulness skills, and quality of life. A total of 6 RCTs (n = 499; mean age = 32.8 years; mean disorder duration = 9.83 years) were included, with interventions lasting from 2 to 48 weeks. The certainty of evidence ranged from low to high. Mindfulness did not significantly differ from cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT) regarding reduced obsessive-compulsive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.08; 95%CI -0.35-0.18), dropout rates (risk ratio = 1.00; 95%CI 0.69-1.43), anxiety (SMD = -0.28; 95%CI -0.57-0.00), or depression (SMD = -0.07; 95%CI -0.26-0.11). A small but clinically non-relevant improvement in mindfulness skills was observed (SMD = 0.24; 95%CI 0.01 to 0.48), although quality of life findings were inconsistent and could not be pooled for analysis. Mindfulness-based interventions did not differ significantly from CBT, which included well-established obsessive-compulsive disorder treatments such as exposure with response prevention, psychoeducation, and cognitive restructuring.