Mindfulness-based interventions for social anxiety disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Psychiatry Research April 20, 2021 Xiaoyu Liu, Peng Yi, Lijun Ma et al.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show no overall advantage over control conditions for social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms in randomized controlled trials, with a between-group effect size of zero. However, within groups, there is a large pre-post improvement. MBIs outperform no treatment, are comparable to other active treatments, but are less effective than evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. MBIs also reduce depressive symptoms and improve mindfulness, quality of life, and self-compassion. Longer MBI duration is associated with greater symptom relief, and benefits persist for up to 12 months. Single-arm trials show a medium effect. Larger randomized trials are needed.