Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on people with prehypertension or hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Qiongshan Chen, Hui Liu, Shizheng Du
BMC cardiovascular disorders February 14, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03746-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 715 |
| Population | People with hypertension or prehypertension |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based interventions |
| Duration | 8 weeks in 10 trials, 6 weeks in one trial |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Blood pressure Hypertension |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress in people with hypertension or prehypertension. |
Abstract
Hypertension and prehypertension have been widely recognized as the main contributors of global mortality. Evidence shows mindfulness-based interventions may reduce blood pressure and improve mental health. However, the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on blood pressure and mental health has not been fully understood. Potential studies published before May 24th 2023 were identified by searching Embase, Ovid Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and VIP China Science. Additionally, two grey databases were searched: Mednar, WorldWideScience.org. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool. The random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using Review Man 5.4 software and the key outcomes are presented as mean difference or standard mean difference and the 95% confidential interval. Searches returned 802 studies in total, of which 12 were included (N = 715). The duration of interventions was 8 weeks in 10 trials and 6 weeks in one trial. Pooled effect sizes indicated reductions in systolic blood pressure (MD = - 9.12, 95% CI [- 12.18, - 6.05], p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (MD = - 5.66, 95% CI [- 8.88, - 2.43], p < 0.001), anxiety (SMD = - 4.10; 95% CI [- 6.49, - 1.71], p < 0.001), depression (SMD = - 1.70, 95%CI [- 2.95, - 0.44], p < 0.001) and perceived stress (SMD = - 5.91, 95%CI [- 8.74, - 3.09], p < 0.001) at post-intervention. The findings from subgroup analyses are favorable for mindfulness-based interventions regardless of gender and baseline blood pressure with regard to BP reduction, with a more profound effect observed in participants with higher pre-intervention blood pressure. The results provide evidence for the positive role of mindfulness-based interventions in hypertension management. More large randomized control trials with sufficient statistical power and long-term follow-up are needed. The protocol had been registered with Prospero on October 2nd 2021 (registration NO. CRD42021282504 ).
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 8
- Effects of a mindfulness learning program on blood pressure control in Thai patients with hypertension International Journal of ADVANCED AND APPLIED SCIENCES July 1, 2026
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy as a Complement to Pharmacological Treatment in the Control of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Lima, Peru. Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.) 2025
- Nourish to Flourish: A mindful eating intervention for older adults improves dietary awareness and well-being. Nutrition and health July 17, 2026
- Mindfulness based interventions for blood pressure reduction: systematic and umbrella review of existing meta-analyses. Journal of Human Hypertension June 30, 2026
- Yoga and mindfulness-based lifestyle interventions for mental and physical health in South Asian immigrant women aged 40 years and older: a pilot study Mental Health and Social Inclusion April 7, 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 23
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
- Mindfulness‐based approaches: are they all the same? Journal of Clinical Psychology January 19, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction (MB-BP): Stage 1 single-arm clinical trial PLoS One November 27, 2019
- Effectiveness of the Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction Program on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Literature Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing August 19, 2018
and 18 more in the library