Meditation techniques v. relaxation therapies when treating anxiety: a meta-analytic review
Psychological Medicine July 19, 2019 J. Montero-Marín, J. García-Campayo, M. Pérez-Yus et al.
Meditation techniques that regulate attention or construct personal values are slightly more effective than relaxation therapy for reducing anxiety. A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials with 862 participants suffering from anxiety disorders or high trait anxiety found a small effect favoring meditation (Hedges' g = −0.23). The number needed to treat was 7.74. Heterogeneity among studies was low, and there was no evidence of publication bias, though few studies were of high quality and researcher allegiance may have influenced results. Meditation may remain more effective at 12-month follow-up, but more research is needed across the full range of meditation practices and anxiety disorders.