Mindfulness-based stress reduction for healthy individuals: A meta-analysis
Bassam Khoury1, Manoj Sharma2, Sarah E Rush3
1Department of Psychology, Harvard University, United States; Department of Psychology, McGill University, Canada.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|March 31, 2015
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) moderately reduces stress, anxiety, and distress in healthy adults. These positive effects on well-being are sustained over time, though further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Health and Wellness
Background:
- Growing interest in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for nonclinical populations.
- Limited understanding of MBSR's effectiveness in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate MBSR efficacy in nonclinical populations.
- Investigate mechanisms of action and moderators of MBSR.
- Assess MBSR's impact on stress and anxiety in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of quantitative studies.
- Searched Medline, CINAHL, and Alt HealthWatch databases.
- Included studies on MBSR interventions for healthy adults assessing stress or anxiety.
Main Results:
- 29 studies (n=2668) included; MBSR showed moderate effectiveness (Hedge's g=.55 pre-post, .53 between-group).
- Sustained effects at 19-week follow-up.
- Large effects on stress, moderate on anxiety, depression, distress, quality of life; small on burnout. Mindfulness and compassion changes correlated with clinical outcomes.
Conclusions:
- MBSR is moderately effective for stress, anxiety, depression, distress, and quality of life in healthy individuals.
- Further research needed to identify specific effective MBSR components.
More Related Videos
08:16Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory
Published on: May 11, 2020
9.4K
10:45A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
8.2K