The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on caregiver burden, quality of life and psychological distress in caregivers of adults with chronic diseases: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Gülyeter Erdoğan Yüce, Ayser Döner, Aylin Bilgin, Gamze Muz
Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12736 (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 | Caregivers of adults with chronic disease |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Caregiver burden Caregivers Chronic disease Meta‐analysis Mindfulness‐based interventions Psychological distress Quality of life |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved stress, anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden but had no significant effects on quality of life, resilience, or mindfulness in caregivers of adults with chronic illness. |
Abstract
Chronic diseases requiring long-term treatment, care, and follow-up can negatively affect the health and well-being of caregivers. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly used as a mental health intervention to control the psychological problems experienced by caregivers and improve their quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide evidence for a holistic evaluation and synthesis of the effects of MBIs applied to caregivers of adults with chronic disease on the burden, quality of life, and psychological distress. Studies evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on caregivers of adults with chronic diseases and published through September 2023 were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO. Methodological quality was assessed with the modified JADAD scale, and bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Randomized controlled studies were included. The standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval was calculated. Heterogeneity was analyzed using the I2 test and Q statistic. Publication bias was assessed with the Egger regression test. This meta-analysis included 12 studies. Pooled evidence found that MBIs resulted in significant improvements in stress, anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden in caregivers of adults with chronic illness but had no significant effects on quality of life, resilience, and mindfulness. The Egger's test showed no evidence of publication bias. MBIs can be considered as a helpful method to increase psychological well-being and reduce caregiver burden in caregivers of adults with chronic diseases. These findings may direct clinicians to conduct mindfulness-based interventions for caregivers of adults with chronic diseases.
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 3
- Does baseline psychiatric symptom severity predict well-being improvement in low-intensity mindfulness interventions? Psychiatry research communications September 1, 2024
- Nature-based mindfulness program for parents and caregivers: a mixed-methods study Frontiers in Psychology October 15, 2026
- Group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy associated with reduced professional caregiver burden and improved quality of care in dementia: a multi-method study Frontiers in Neurology August 24, 2026
Cites 13
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- Relationship of Psychological Flexibility and Mindfulness to Caregiver Burden, and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Caregivers of People with Dementia International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health February 27, 2023
and 8 more in the library