Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) and compassion meditation (CM) are practices that aim to foster unconditional kindness and compassion. A review of the literature indicates that these practices are associated with increased positive affect and decreased negative affect. Neuroendocrine studies suggest that CM may reduce stress-induced subjective distress and immune response. Neuroimaging findings suggest that LKM and CM may enhance activity in brain areas involved in emotional processing and empathy. Preliminary intervention studies support their use in clinical populations. When combined with empirically supported treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy, LKM and CM may help address psychological problems involving interpersonal processes, including depression, social anxiety, marital conflict, anger, and the strains of long-term caregiving.
This systematic review examines the relationship between nightmares and psychiatric symptoms by analyzing longitudinal, experimental, and clinical trial studies. The findings suggest that nightmares are not merely a symptom of psychiatric disorders but may independently contribute to the development and maintenance of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The review indicates that treating nightmares can lead to improvements in overall psychiatric symptoms, highlighting the potential clinical importance of addressing nightmares directly in therapeutic settings.
A systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether unguided mindfulness-based self-help interventions, such as apps or books used without a teacher, improve mental health. Across 28 randomized controlled trials, these interventions produced small but significant benefits for anxiety, depression, and mindfulness skills compared to control conditions. Effects were stronger when participants received some human support alongside the self-help materials. The evidence suggests that brief, self-directed mindfulness practice can yield modest improvements, but the overall quality of studies was mixed, and longer-term effects remain unclear.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials shows that meditation and yoga interventions reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. The review synthesizes evidence from multiple trials and indicates that these mind-body practices are effective adjunctive treatments for PTSD, though the magnitude of benefit varies across studies. The authors suggest that meditation and yoga can be helpful additions to standard care, but further research is needed to determine optimal protocols and long-term outcomes.