Too much or not enough of a good thing? Reconciling differing perspectives on the optimal dose of mindfulness meditation and advancing a dose-response research agenda

Mindfulness meditation is widely practiced in religious and secular settings, with many studies suggesting benefits for psychosocial well-being. Yet little is known about dose-response effects—how often or how long one must practice to achieve specific goals. Recommended practice durations are becoming shorter, but the impact of this reduction on outcomes is unclear. This review critically appraises evidence from empirical studies, traditional sources, and contemporary teaching trends. It argues that previous studies' limited dose ranges and analytic approaches hinder understanding of dose-response. The authors propose a research agenda prioritizing dose-response questions, using designs optimized to examine how the relationship varies by outcome and individual, which could reconcile conflicting knowledge and tailor mindfulness offerings.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness meditation is now practiced broadly in both religious and secular contexts, with numerous studies indicating potential benefits across a range of psychosocial domains. However, despite significant research effort, we still know little about dose-response effects – how frequently or for how longindividuals might need to practice mindfulness meditation to achieve certain practice goals. Increasingly, recommended amounts of practice are becoming shorter while the impact of this reduction on outcomes in unclear. We review and critically appraise the state of knowledge about dose-response effects drawn from empirical investigations, traditional sources, and trends in contemporary teachingand practice. We argue that limitations inherent to the range of doses and analytic approaches used in previous studies reduce our ability to inform the dose-response question. We propose a practical research agenda that prioritizes the question of dose-response, incorporating design features that are optimizedspecifically to understanding the dose-response relationship and how it might vary between outcomes and individuals. Prioritizing the dose-response agenda will allow us to reconcile differences between knowledge sources and enable us to optimize mindfulness offerings based on the individual, their goals, and the context in which they practice.