How do mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction improve mental health and wellbeing? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mediation studies

Secular Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Efficacy and Neurobiology.

Mindfulness-based interventions for women victims of interpersonal violence: A systematic review

Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global and progressive chronic medical condition with increasing prevalence and associated costs throughout the world. Psychological problems are common in people with DM and when they co-occur are associated with negative patient and societal outcomes. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) were to be effective in treating a variety of psychological problems in various health conditions. Thus, using MBSR and MBCT in DM patients may help alleviate psychological problems of anxiety and depression and improve glycaemic control as a result. In this systematic review, we investigated the effectiveness of MBSR and MBCT in improving glycaemic control, anxiety and depression in adults with DM. Interventions: Randomised-Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Pilot Studies (RCPS) evaluated the effectiveness of MBSR or MBCT. Electronic searches were carried out of the following databases CINAHL, CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and ongoing clinical trials websites. Main outcomes: This research examined the effectiveness of MBSR and MBCT on depression, anxiety and glycaemic control in adults with T1DM or T2DM. Results: Research evidence has shown that patients with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and anxiety disorders have a higher risk of developing DM than the general population. Explicitly, evidence indicates that the prevalence of psychological problems is much higher than in the general population and globally, with a two-fold increase in the prevalence of depression and anxiety in DM patients. 3 RCTs and 1 RCPS found a total of 365 participants. Narrative and data synthesis indicated significant reduction in levels of anxiety and depression at short-term and long-term time points. However, no significant effect on glycaemic control was established. MBSR and MBCT are feasible and efficacious methods for depression and anxiety treatment in adults with T1DM or T2DM.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on depression, quality of life (QoL), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in people with diabetes. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted. Eight databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], Cochrane, PsycINFO, and three Chinese databases) were searched for relevant studies from inception to December 2019. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of MBSR and MBCT interventions for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were included. Nine studies described in 11 articles were included in the review. Meta-analysis showed a significant effect favoring MBSR and MBCT on depression (standardized mean difference -0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.16 to -0.51; p < .0001), the mental health composite score of QoL (mean difference [MD] 7.06; 95% CI 5.09 to 9.03; p < .00001), and HbA1c (MD -0.28; 95% CI -0.47 to -0.09; p = .004). However, effects on the physical health composite score of QoL have not been found. MBSR and MBCT are beneficial in improving depression, the mental health composite score of QoL, and HbA1c in people with diabetes. More well-designed trials using longer follow-up measurements are needed. MBSR and MBCT could be considered as effective complementary treatment alternatives for people with diabetes.

Mindfulness-based clinical interventions have become popular and broadly implemented within several university clinics and hospitals. The efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is supported by evidence from numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, with the increase inpopularity and greater demand, the central risk is that the quality and integrity of MBSR and MBCT could be lost, in particular if these evidence-based interventions are not delivered as intended. In this article, an overall model of quality and integrity is presented with an emphasis on professional training, standards of good practice, teaching competencies,ethics, and insights of contemplative traditions. It is suggested that professional training requires a longer time frame in order to develop, integrate, implement, and evaluate the basic competencies needed to effectively teach MBSR and MBCT. It is also argued that teachers of MBSR and MBCT need to be engage in the personal work ofintegrating mindfulness into their own lives.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on depression in poststroke patients-A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide which is still highly prevalent despite dramatic medical advances. According to the statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, CVD-related mortality rate in Iran is 46%. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with CVDs. Methods: This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. In total, 60 patients with CVDs were recruited. Patients were allocated to the MBSR and CBT groups. Patients in the MBSR and CBT groups received intervention in 8, 2.5-hour sessions. The main outcome was QOL which was measured by the MacNew Quality of Life after Myocardial Infarction (QLMI) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS software. Results: ANCOVA revealed a significant difference between the MBSR group and CBT group regarding the post-test values of QOL (P = 0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed that MBSR and CBT are effective in reducing the QOL of patients with CVDs.

Evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is rapidly growing as interest in this field expands. By contrast, there are few empirical analyses of the pedagogy of MBSR and MBCT. Development of the evidence base concerning the teaching of MBCT or MBSR would support the integrity of the approach in the context of rapid expansion. This paper describes an applied conversation analysis (CA) of the characteristics of inquiry in the MBSR and MBCT teaching process. Audio-recordings of three 8-week MBCT and MBSR classes, with 24, 12, and 6 participants, were transcribed and systematically examined. The study focused on the teacher-led interactive inquiry which takes place in each session after a guided meditation practice. The study describes and analyzes three practices within the inquiry process that can be identified in sequences of talk: turn-taking talk involving questions and reformulations; the development of participant skills in a particular way of describing experience; and talk that constructs intersubjective connection and affiliation within the group. CA enables fine-grained analysis of the interactional work of mindfulness-based inquiry. Inquiry is a process of disciplined improvisation which is both highly specific to the conditions of the moment it took place in and uses repeated and recognizable patterns of interaction.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this exploratory study was to obtain greater insight into the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on the mental health of employees.MethodsUsing PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL, we performed a systematic review in October 2015 of studies investigating the effects of MBSR and MBCT on various aspects of employees’ mental health. Studies with a pre-post design (i.e. without a control group) were excluded.Results24 articles were identified, describing 23 studies: 22 on the effects of MBSR and 1 on the effects of MBSR in combination with some aspects of MBCT. Since no study focused exclusively on MBCT, its effects are not described in this systematic review. Of the 23 studies, 2 were of high methodological quality, 15 were of medium quality and 6 were of low quality. A meta-analysis was not performed due to the emergent and relatively uncharted nature of the topic of investigation, the exploratory character of this study, and the diversity of outcomes in the studies reviewed. Based on our analysis, the strongest outcomes were reduced levels of emotional exhaustion (a dimension of burnout), stress, psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and occupational stress. Improvements were found in terms of mindfulness, personal accomplishment (a dimension of burnout), (occupational) self-compassion, quality of sleep, and relaxation.ConclusionThe results of this systematic review suggest that MBSR may help to improve psychological functioning in employees.

Introduction: Depression stands as a primary contributor to disability, prompting extensive exploration of treatment and prevention strategies. Recognizing the limitations of conventional approaches, the significance of effective non-pharmacological therapies, like psychotherapy, in managing mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged. There's a growing interest in mindfulness-based interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). These interventions, which prioritize present-moment awareness and acceptance, target depression's mechanisms, such as rumination, while cultivating coping strategies and resilience. Mindfulness, with its comprehensive approach and capacity for self-regulation, emerges as pivotal in addressing psychiatric conditions. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of MBCT and MBSR's effectiveness in treating depression and preventing relapses. Description of the state of knowledge: MBCT and MBSR exhibit promising potential in effectively managing and preventing depression. Moreover, they alleviate anxiety, emotional exhaustion, stress and psychological distress, while fostering improved coping with rumination, memory disturbances and emotional regulation. Summary: Research indicates that incorporating MBCT and MBSR could offer a hopeful avenue for managing and alleviating the symptoms of depression and mental disorders, by addressing underlying factors which play a pivotal role in their development. To corroborate these encouraging results, additional randomized, large-scale, placebo-controlled trials are essential.

Introduction: Depression stands as a primary contributor to disability, prompting extensive exploration of treatment and prevention strategies. Recognizing the limitations of conventional approaches, the significance of effective non-pharmacological therapies, like psychotherapy, in managing mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged. There's a growing interest in mindfulness-based interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). These interventions, which prioritize present-moment awareness and acceptance, target depression's mechanisms, such as rumination, while cultivating coping strategies and resilience. Mindfulness, with its comprehensive approach and capacity for self-regulation, emerges as pivotal in addressing psychiatric conditions. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of MBCT and MBSR's effectiveness in treating depression and preventing relapses. Description of the state of knowledge: MBCT and MBSR exhibit promising potential in effectively managing and preventing depression. Moreover, they alleviate anxiety, emotional exhaustion, stress and psychological distress, while fostering improved coping with rumination, memory disturbances and emotional regulation. Summary: Research indicates that incorporating MBCT and MBSR could offer a hopeful avenue for managing and alleviating the symptoms of depression and mental disorders, by addressing underlying factors which play a pivotal role in their development. To corroborate these encouraging results, additional randomized, large-scale, placebo-controlled trials are essential.

Ischemic stroke survivors often experience persistent cognitive and psychosocial deficits not fully addressed by conventional rehabilitation. This study compared the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) on Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) outcomes. In a quasi-experimental design with a control group and follow-up, 45 eligible patients were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to MBSR, CRT, or control groups. Interventions followed standardized Kabat–Zinn (MBSR) and Powell (CRT) protocols. SIS data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. Participants were predominantly female (CRT:64%, MBSR:60%, control:57%). Both interventions significantly improved Communication (η 2 = 0.21, p < 0.001) and Participation/Role Function (η 2 = 0.18, p = 0.003). Notably, MBSR additionally yielded a significant improvement in Memory and Thinking (η 2=0.24, p = 0.001), an effect not observed with CRT (p > 0.05). Findings suggest MBSR offers unique benefits for cognitive domains. Integrating mindfulness-based interventions into cognitive rehabilitation frameworks may enhance both cognitive and functional outcomes, representing a promising direction for future research and clinical practice.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been widely implemented to improve self-regulation behaviors, often by targeting emotion-related constructs to facilitate change. Yet the degree to which MBIs engage specific measures of emotion-related constructs has not been systematically examined. Using advanced meta-analytic techniques, this review examines construct and measurement engagement in trials of adults that used standardized applications of the two most established MBIs: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), or modified variations of these interventions that met defined criteria. Seventy-two studies (N=7,378) were included (MBSR k=47, MBCT k = 21, Modified k=4). MBIs led to significant improvement in emotion-related processing overall, compared to inactive controls (d=0.58; k =36), and in all constructs assessed: depression (d=0.66; k=26), anxiety (d =0.63; k=19), combined mental health (d =0.75; k=7 ) and stress (d =0.44; k=11). Reactions to pain, mood states, emotion regulation, and biological measures lacked sufficient data for analysis. MBIs did not outperform active controls in any analyses. Measurement tool and population-type did not moderate results, but MBI-type did, in that MBCT showed stronger effects than MBSR, although these effects were driven by a small number of studies. This review is the first to examine the full scope of emotion-related measures relevant to self-regulation, to determine which measures are most influenced by MBCT/MBSR. Compared to extant reviews, which typically focused on MBI outcomes, this work examined mechanistic processes based on measurement domains and tools. While effect sizes were similar among measurement tools, this review also includes a descriptive evaluation of measures and points of caution, providing guidance to MBI researchers and clinicians for selection of emotion-related measurement tools.

Mindfulness-based interventions, in particular, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), have been implemented and disseminated globally, and their efficacy is supported by evidence from several recent meta-analyses. As MBSR and MBCT are being integrated into the mainstream of society, including the fields of medicine, health care, education and leadership, there is an increasing need to educate and train professionals to teach and deliver these approaches and interventions. However, as capacity needs increase, the central risk is that the quality and integrity of mindfulness-based interventions could be lost if prospective teachers are not adequately trained to deliver such interventions. To help minimise this risk, we argue that the education and training of future MBSR and MBCT teachers need to be carried out through structured and systematic training pathways that are founded in mindfulness practice and study and closely examined and attended to by senior teachers with many years of contemplative practice and teaching experience. Indeed, prominent people in the field argue that the ongoing formation of mindfulness-based teachers is critical to maintaining and protecting the quality and integrity of MBSR and MBCT. Committed to translating and integrating mindfulness into a twenty-first century context and lexicon—while honouring the universal essence and deep roots of mindfulness practice arising out of classical Buddhist meditation practices—modern scientific research has been conducted, education and professional training standards have been proposed and tools for assessment of mindfulness-based teaching competencies have been developed and applied, all in service of this implementation, dissemination and capacity building process.

Psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, is highly prevalent among adults with cancer. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), are increasingly used to address these symptoms. However, no prior review has comprehensively stratified MBI effects across intervention types, symptom domains, cancer populations, and geographic regions. To evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs, including standard and adapted formats, on depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Six databases were searched from January 2010 to July 2025. Eligible studies included RCTs comparing MBIs to control conditions in adults with cancer, reporting validated outcomes for depression, anxiety, or stress. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Hedges' g, with subgroup analyses by intervention type, duration, geographic region, and cancer type. Across 84 effect sizes from 45 RCTs (N=7395), mindfulness-based interventions were evaluated. MBIs significantly reduced depression (g=-0.92), anxiety (g=-1.06), and stress (g=-1.50). Modified MBIs MBIs demonstrated the largest effects (g=-1.57), followed by MBSR (g=-0.72) and MBCT (g=-0.68). The strongest effects were observed in breast cancer populations (g=-1.48) and in studies conducted in North America (g=-1.21) and Asia (g=-1.07). Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) were associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with cancer, though heterogeneity was high and evidence was largely from breast cancer trials. MBIs appear scalable, particularly for women with breast cancer, but broader conclusions remain limited. Findings support their inclusion in tailored psychosocial care, with a need for more diverse and rigorously controlled research.