Combination of non-invasive brain stimulation with mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety and depression symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Anastasia Demina, Benjamin Petit, Vincent Meille, Anne Sauvaget, Florent Lebon, Benoit Trojak
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience November 17, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01928-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Clinical populations |
| Interventions | non-invasive brain stimulation mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Neuroplasticity Meditation |
| Keywords | Bimodal treatment Mindfulness-based interventions Non-invasive brain stimulation |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Combining non-invasive brain stimulation with mindfulness-based interventions produced a large effect on anxiety symptoms but a non-significant small-to-medium effect on depression symptoms. |
Abstract
In this article we aimed synthesize all available evidence regarding the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques combined with mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on mental health indicators. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating NIBS/MBIs combinations in clinical populations and a random effects pairwise meta-analysis of studies evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms. After independent trial selection by two authors based on titles/abstracts, and then on full texts, twelve trials were retrieved. There was a large effect size favoring the NIBS/MBIs over the control intervention for anxiety symptoms (Cohen's d = - 0.82 (- 1.35, - 0.30), I2 = 55%, moderate certainty of evidence). As for depression symptoms, there was a small-to-medium effect size that did not reach statistical significance (Cohen's d = - 0.24 (- 0.61, 0.13), I2 = 30%, low certainty of evidence). MBIs/NIBS combination is feasible and well tolerated. There is preliminary evidence for its therapeutic promise. Future studies should inform combination choices by neural correlates of respective interventions and offer patients mindfulness familiarization before implementation of the NIBS/MBIs treatment.Trial registration CRD42022353971.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness practices and transcranial direct current stimulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of self-reported mindfulness. Brain and Cognition May 27, 2025
- Enhancing Equanimity With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: A Novel Framework for Mindfulness Interventions. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging April 1, 2025
- Frequent loving kindness meditation relates to lower anxiety in long term practitioners through higher self compassion and cognitive flexibility. Scientific Reports March 29, 2026
Cites 24
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- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
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- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
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and 19 more in the library