Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) on Blood Pressure Among Adults: A Systematic Review and...

In this study, our aim was to examine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on blood pressure in adults, with additional exploration of study characteristics, methodological factors, intervention types, and participant demographics as potential moderators of the effect sizes.

We systematically searched 10 electronic databases for eligible studies from inception to February 2025. We reviewed studies on blood pressure outcomes for adults receiving mindfulness-based intervention based on Buddhist teaching. We only reviewed randomized controlled trials written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. We used Funnel plot, Q statistics, and I2 to test the heterogeneity across studies. Also, we examined moderators to explore sources of heterogeneity.

Across 21 studies providing 23 between group comparisons (N = 2002), 1045 in mindfulness-based intervention group, and 957 in control groups. Thirty-eight percent of participants were females. Mean age ranged from 20.26 to 72.86 years, with a total mean ( SD ) age across studies of 50.86 (13.40) years. Overall, mindfulness-based interventions had a large effect on the reduction in systolic blood pressure by -6.320 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by -4.091 mm Hg. Funding, intention-to-treat, fidelity of intervention, health condition, and settings were moderators affecting effect sizes. No primary studies reported the adverse effects.

Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced blood pressure in adults. Clinicians and health professionals might consider using mindfulness-based interventions as an alternative complementary treatment for controlling blood pressure.