The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Objective Physiological Measures of Autonomic Function for Individuals With Medical Conditions: A Review of the Evidence.
Rachel Churchill, Brenda Swartz, Anneka Johnston-Dumerauf, Angelos Halaris
Psychosomatic Medicine 2024 DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001260 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with medical conditions (oncology, cardiac, chronic pain) |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Only oncology met the criteria for 'possibly effective' based on level of evidence, though individual studies suggested some benefit for all three medical conditions. |
Abstract
Autonomic dysregulation is common in many medical conditions and can have a widespread, negative impact on multiple bodily systems, leading to poorer health outcomes. Thus, addressing autonomic dysregulation as part of a comprehensive treatment plan is important. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of the physiological benefits of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for a population with medical conditions, using validated, objective measures of autonomic functioning. We conducted a review of the literature and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols. Studies were included if a) participants were diagnosed with a medical condition, b) an MBI was used, and c) objective pre/post measurements of autonomic nervous system function were collected. Medical conditions were included as a category for this review when a minimum of three articles met the criteria for inclusion. Ten articles met the criteria and included oncology, cardiac, and chronic pain conditions. Clinical recommendations were made based on the Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual, 2017 Edition by the American Academy of Neurology. Based on level of evidence, only oncology met the criteria for "possibly effective." However, there was some evidence of the benefit of MBIs for all three medical conditions, based on individual study findings.
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
- Preliminary evaluation of a mindfulness intervention program in women with long COVID dysautonomia symptoms. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health March 1, 2025
- The Cumulative Effect of a 12-Week Online Mindfulness-Based Meditation Intervention Programme on Autonomic Nerve Functions by Pupillary Light Reflex: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Stress and Health August 1, 2025
- Enhancing Physiological Complexity Through Mindfulness: A Wearable-Based Intervention for First Responders and Their Partners. Healthcare June 1, 2026
Cites 16
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation Annals of Behavioral Medicine November 15, 2006
- Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation on Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects With Coronary Heart Disease Archives of Internal Medicine June 12, 2006
- Mindfulness‐based stress reduction: A literature review and clinician’s guide Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners April 1, 2008
- Heart Rate Variability as a Marker of Distress and Recovery: The Effect of Brief Supportive Expressive Group Therapy With Mindfulness in Cancer Patients Integrative Cancer Therapies August 18, 2020
and 11 more in the library