The effectiveness of mindfulness training in improving medical students' stress, depression, and anxiety.
Ahmed M Alzahrani, Ahmed Hakami, Ahmad Alhadi, Nassr Al-Maflehi, Mohammed H Aljawadi, Rawan M Alotaibi, Muhannad M Alzahrani, Salem Ali Alammari, Mohammed A Batais, Turky H Almigbal
PLoS One 2023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293539 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Stratified randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 84 |
| Population | Medical students from two medical schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Citations | 31 |
| Key findings | At three-month follow-up, anxiety dropped significantly in the MBSR group compared to waitlist, and higher session attendance was associated with lower depression and anxiety. |
Abstract
There is growing interest in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program to combat mental distress in medical students. In Saudi Arabia, literature is insufficient about MBSR and its effectiveness. This study aims to measure the effectiveness of MBSR in improving mindful state, stress, anxiety, and depression in medical students. Also, the study explores the association between the attendance rate of MBSR sessions and its effectiveness. Lastly, the study examines gender differences in response to MBSR. This is a stratified randomized controlled study of 84 medical students from two medical schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were recruited voluntarily from November 2018 to April 2021, and allocated to MBSR and waitlist groups using a stratified randomization method based on gender. MBSR group received eight weeks of sessions through audiovisual materials. An online survey utilizing validated questionnaires assessing stress, mindfulness, anxiety, and depression was used to evaluate both groups pre-program (time 0), post-program (time 1), and three months later (time 2). Seventy-one participants completed the post-test (time 1). There were no differences between study groups at time 0 and 1. However, in 41 subjects who completed the follow-up test (time 2), the anxiety dropped significantly in MBSR group (mean difference (MD), -3.935; 95% CI, -7.580 to -0.290). Furthermore, attending more MBSR sessions was inversely correlated with depression (r, -0.556; P, 0.002), and anxiety (r, -0.630; P, 0.000). Compared to their baseline, males in MBSR group improved in stress (MD, 3.08; 95% CI, 0.30 to 5.86), anxiety (MD, 4.91; 95% CI, 3.32 to 6.50), and mindfulness (MD, -0.58; 95% CI, -1.01 to -0.15), while females improved in stress (MD, 2.64; 95% CI, 0.02 to 5.26). Despite the study being interrupted by the stressful COVID-19 outbreak, the findings suggest that MBSR improved psychological outcomes when participants commit to the program.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Effectiveness of Neurofeedback-Assisted and Conventional 6-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Interventions on Mental Health of Chinese Nursing Students: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research May 23, 2025
- Integrating mindfulness and physical activity: a meta-analysis of mindful movement interventions for symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students. PeerJ 2025
- Online mindfulness-based vs. cognitive-behavioural stress reduction for medical students: A randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Research July 11, 2025
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Psychological Stress in Medical Students: A Systematic Review Healthcare July 2, 2026
- Effectiveness of an Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Improving Mental Health in Undergraduate Students: A Randomized Clinical Trial International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 30, 2026
and 10 more in the library
Cites 7
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- 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
- The interplay between mindfulness, depression, stress and academic performance in medical students: A Saudi perspective. PLoS One April 3, 2020
- A randomised controlled trial of the effects of mindfulness practice on medical student stress levels. Med Educ April 1, 2011
- The association between dispositional mindfulness, psychological well-being, and perceived health in a Swedish population-based sample. British Journal of Health Psychology March 8, 2011
and 2 more in the library