Is mindfulness practice "at risk" of increasing spirituality? Systematic review and critical analysis of a claimed effect.
Fabrice Berna, Amaury C Mengin, Philippe Huguelet, Mathieu Urbach, Renaud Évrard, Guillaume Fond
L'Encephale August 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.11.013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,272 |
| Intervention | mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Dérives sectaires Mental health Mindfulness meditation Religion Santé mentale Sectarian drifts Spirituality Spiritualité |
| Citations | 7 |
| Post-publication review | 2 comments on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active November 2024 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness meditation may increase spirituality scores on some scales, but the clinical significance of these changes is uncertain, and a pragmatic risk-reduction approach is recommended over prohibition. |
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation has gained prominence in somatic and psychiatric care in several countries including France. Studies have shown its effectiveness in various conditions, in particular the prevention of depressive relapses. However, there are criticisms and concerns about its potential links to Buddhism and spirituality, raising issues of secularism and sectarianism. This issue is particularly conflicting in France with regard its historical and political relationship with secularism. This study aims to assess quantitative data regarding the impact of mindfulness meditation on spirituality and religiosity using quantitative validated scales. A systematic review was conducted. PubMed was searched for relevant studies using keywords related to mindfulness and spirituality/religiosity scales. Four scales assessing spirituality were identified: FACIT-sp, INSPIRIT, DSES, and DUREL. Qualitative analysis determined if scale items pertained to spirituality or other topics considered by opponents to mindfulness as "at risk" for deviances or sectarian aberrations. Quantitative analysis assessed the effect size of changes in scale scores before and after mindfulness meditation interventions. Eighteen studies were analyzed, with varying scales and program durations including 1272 participants. Qualitative analysis showed that most scales contained items related to spirituality as well as "at risk" elements like religion and mysticism. Quantitative analysis revealed that a few studies reported significant increases in spirituality scores following mindfulness meditation, but the clinical relevance of these changes was questioned. In general, control groups had smaller score changes. While some studies suggest a potential increase in spirituality due to mindfulness meditation, the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain. Moreover, mindfulness meditation's ties to Buddhism are disputed, and its roots are intertwined with various psychotherapy traditions that incorporate spirituality. The role of secularism in psychotherapy is also debated in France, emphasizing the need for proper use and regulation policy rather than prohibition of mindfulness-based approaches. This study highlights the complexity of assessing the impact of mindfulness meditation on spirituality and religiosity. It suggests that a pragmatic approach focusing on risk and harm reduction may be more suitable than labeling the practice as "at risk". Further research is needed to clarify these issues in the specific cultural context of France.
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
Cites 19
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Meditation Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics February 18, 2010
- Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Stress and Health March 15, 2010
- Studying the Well-Trained Mind Science October 2, 2003
and 14 more in the library