Time-series trend analysis of meditation intervention research: Focusing on keyword networks
Journal of Meditation based Psychological Counseling December 31, 2025 Jeong Gwiyeon
A keyword network analysis of 1,442 meditation intervention studies published in Korean journals between 2016 and 2025 revealed 'Mindfulness' as the dominant core concept. Mental health keywords such as 'Depression,' 'Stress,' and 'Anxiety' were key application areas. The analysis showed a three-stage paradigm shift: from a traditional theory focus before COVID-19, to a clinical application transition during the pandemic (with surges in centrality of depression and stress), and finally to an integrated development phase after COVID-19 that balanced traditional theory with modern psychological mechanisms, as seen in the re-emergence of 'Vipassana' and consolidation of 'Self-Compassion'. The findings suggest meditation intervention research is maturing into an integrated structure responsive to external shocks.