The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on depression, PTSD, and mindfulness among military veterans: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Wendy Wen Li, Jaime Nannestad, Timothy Leow, Carolyn Heward
Health Psychology Open 2024 DOI: 10.1177/20551029241302969 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,131 |
| Population | Veterans |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Defence force Mental health |
| Citations | 19 |
| Key findings | MBSR reduced depressive and PTSD symptoms with medium effect sizes in veterans, but effects on PTSD were not maintained at follow-up between groups, and MBSR did not differ from other active therapies. |
Abstract
Thirteen studies were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis with 1131 participants. Both within- and between-group comparisons demonstrated reductions in depressive and PTSD symptoms with medium effect sizes post MBSR intervention. Additionally, MBSR demonstrated small effects in improving mindfulness in veterans at post-intervention. Maintenance of treatment effects were observed at follow-up for the three outcomes during within-group comparisons. Treatment effects were maintained at follow-up between-groups for depression and mindfulness, but not for PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between MBSR and cognitive behavioural therapy/person-centred group therapy intervention groups in the three outcomes.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Effects of Short Video App Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Policemen's Communication Anxiety, PTSD, Anger Management, and Mood Disorders. Healthcare May 21, 2025
- Stress reduction based on awareness for women affected by disasters: a randomized controlled trial Psychology, Health & Medicine September 10, 2026
- Mindfulness Processes and User Experiences in a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindfulness Coach App for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Mindfulness July 11, 2026
- Effects of Buddhist Interventions in Their Original Context: A Meta-analysis Mindfulness March 25, 2026
- Mindfulness Intervention for Navigating and Decreasing Stress (MINDS-V): Effectiveness of a Tailored Trauma-Informed Mental Health Intervention for Australian Veterans. Military Medicine 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 26
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine 2002
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Reduces Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in Veterans Medical Care November 13, 2014
- A Pilot Study of the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Brain Response to Traumatic Reminders of Combat in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Combat Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Frontiers in Psychiatry August 25, 2017
and 21 more in the library