Abstract
This review summarizes all studies that compare the effect of a MBSR program to a control group intervention, in which the participants had been randomly allocated to be in either the MBSR group or a control group. The review summarizes the results in two categories. First, where the effect of the MBSR program was compared to an inactive group (either a wait list group or one receiving ordinary care also received by the MBSR group). Second, where MBSR was compared with an alternative active group intervention. Based on this review it is reasonable to consider MBSR a moderately well-documented method for helping adults improve their health and cope better with the challenges and stress that life brings. New research should improve the way the trials are conducted addressing the pitfalls in research on mind-body interventions.
Highlights
There is an increasing focus on mind-body interventions for relieving stress, and improving health and quality of life, accompanied by a growing body of research trying to evaluate such interventions
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) seems to improve measures of quality of life and social function when compared to inactive control groups
MBSR improved mental health compared to other active psychosocial interventions, with a NNT = 14, and had a similar effect on improving somatic health, and quality of life and social function
Summary
There is an increasing focus on mind-body interventions for relieving stress, and improving health and quality of life, accompanied by a growing body of research trying to evaluate such interventions. One of the most well-known Programs is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which was developed by Kabat-Zinn in 1979. A number of reviews and meta-analyses have been carried out to evaluate the effects of meditation and mindfulness training, but few have adhered to the meta-analytic protocol set out by the Cochrane Collaboration and Campbell Collaboration, or focused on MBSR only. There is mounting evidence that stress caused by traumatic life events increases the risk for chronic somatic and psychological problems that affect health and quality of life (McEwen, 2008); adverse childhood experiences being especially harmful (Brown et al, 2009; Kelly-Irwing et al, 2013)
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