Mindfulness in severe and persistent mental illness: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) requires scalable and cost-effective treatment options.
• Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are emerging as potential therapeutic modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review current research on the efficacy of mindfulness interventions for patients with SPMI.
• To identify the impact of MBIs on various clinical outcomes in SPMI populations.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials, prospective, and retrospective studies.
• Searches conducted in Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO databases.
• Inclusion criteria focused on MBIs for SPMI; exclusion of qualitative studies, case reports, and reviews.

Main Results:

• A total of 14 studies were identified (6 RCTs, 7 prospective, 1 retrospective).
• Observed clinical improvements in depression symptoms, cognition, mindfulness skills, and psychosocial/vocational factors.
• Feasibility of mindfulness interventions demonstrated in individuals with SPMI.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness interventions are feasible and show potential benefits beyond psychotic symptoms in SPMI.
• Further rigorous research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm effects on psychotic symptoms.
• Exploration of mindfulness in diverse psychiatric populations representative of SPMI is warranted.