Target mechanisms of mindfulness-based programmes and practices: a scoping review.
Shannon Maloney, Merle Kock, Yasmijn Slaghekke, Lucy Radley, Alba Lopez-Montoyo, Jesus Montero-Marin, Willem Kuyken
BMJ mental health August 24, 2024 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300955 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Participants in randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based programmes or practices |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based programmes mindfulness practices |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Adult psychiatry |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness skills, decentering, and attitudes such as self-compassion may be key intervention targets for improving population mental health through mindfulness-based programs. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) and practices have demonstrated effects in mental health and well-being, yet questions regarding the target mechanisms that drive change across the population remain unresolved. Five databases were searched for randomised controlled trials that evaluate the indirect effects (IEs) of an MBP or mindfulness practice in relation to mental health and well-being outcomes through psychological mechanisms. 27 eligible studies were identified, with only four exploring mechanisms in the context of specific mindfulness practices. Significant IEs were reported for mindfulness skills, decentering and attitudes of mindfulness (eg, self-compassion) across different outcomes, population samples, mental health strategies and active comparators. Evidence gap maps and requirements for testing and reporting IEs are provided to help guide future work. Mindfulness skills, decentering and attitudes of mindfulness may be key intervention targets for addressing the mental health of whole populations. However, future work needs to address significant knowledge gaps regarding the evidence for alternative mechanisms (eg, attention and awareness) in relation to unique outcomes (eg, well-being), mental health strategies (ie, promotion) and active comparators. High-quality trials, with powered multivariate mediation analyses that meet key requirements, will be needed to advance this area of work. 10.17605/OSF.IO/NY2AH.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Pathways to mental well-being for graduates of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): A mediation analysis of an RCT. Psychotherapy Research November 1, 2024
- The State- and Trait-Level Effects and Candidate Mechanisms of Four Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Practices: Two Exploratory Studies. Mindfulness 2023
- Mechanisms of change in compassion-based programs for medical students. Scientific Reports December 2, 2024
- Examining what works for whom and how in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression: moderated-mediation analysis in the PREVENT trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry April 1, 2025
- Why mindfulness matters in musculoskeletal therapies: a narrative review Frontiers in Psychology October 17, 2025
and 8 more in the library
Cites 20
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Brief mindfulness training for negative affectivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 25, 2018
- Treatment-specific changes in decentering following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus antidepressant medication or placebo for prevention of depressive relapse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology March 12, 2012
and 15 more in the library