Among 311 HIV patients in Nigeria, mindfulness buffered the negative effects of death anxiety and depression on health-related quality of life. Higher mindfulness weakened the link between death anxiety and poorer quality of life, and also weakened the link between depression and poorer quality of life. The findings suggest that mindfulness-based training could help improve well-being in people living with HIV by reducing the impact of these psychological challenges.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with cancer. Across 45 randomized controlled trials with 7,395 participants, MBIs showed large effects: depression (g = -0.92), anxiety (g = -1.06), and stress (g = -1.50). Modified MBIs had the largest effects (g = -1.57), followed by MBSR (g = -0.72) and MBCT (g = -0.68). The strongest effects appeared in breast cancer populations (g = -1.48) and studies from North America (g = -1.21) and Asia (g = -1.07). Heterogeneity was high, and evidence came mostly from breast cancer trials, limiting broader conclusions.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve glycemic control in people with both diabetes and depression. A meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials (1,336 participants) found a large effect on depressive symptoms (SMD -0.88) and a small improvement in A1C levels (SMD -0.23). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy each showed strong effects. Effects varied by region, with Asian studies showing greater benefits than North American ones. The authors argue that culturally adapted approaches are important and call for further research to refine MBI applications in diabetes care.