Individual participant data systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing adult mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in non-clinical settings.
Julieta Galante, Claire Friedrich, Napaporn Aeamla-Or, Marieke Arts-De Jong, Bruce Barrett, Susan M. Bögels, Jan K. Buitelaar, Mary M. Checovich, Michael S. Christopher, Richard J. Davidson, Antonia Errazuriz, Simon B. Goldberg, Corina U. Greven, Matthew J. Hirshberg, Shu-Ling Huang, Matthew Hunsinger, Yoon-Suk Hwang, Peter B. Jones, Oleg N. Medvedev, Melissa A. Rosenkranz, Melanie P. J. Schellekens, Nienke M. Siebelink, Nirbhay N. Singh, Anne E. M. Speckens, Feng-Cheng Tang, Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, Tim Dalgleish, Peter B. Jones, Ian R. White
Nature. Mental health July 10, 2023 DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00081-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis Randomized Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,371 |
| Population | Community adults in non-clinical settings from 8 countries |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based programmes |
| Duration | 1 to 6 months after programme completion |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 102 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based programmes reduce psychological distress in community adults with a small to moderate effect, and this effect is not modified by baseline distress, gender, age, education, or dispositional mindfulness. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) are widely used to prevent mental ill-health that is becoming the leading global cause of morbidity. Evidence suggests beneficial average effects but wide variability. We aimed to confirm the effect of MBPs on psychological distress, and to understand whether and how baseline distress, gender, age, education, and dispositional mindfulness modify the effect of MBPs on distress among adults in non-clinical settings. We conducted a pre-registered systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42020200117). Thirteen databases were searched in December 2020 for randomised controlled trials satisfying a quality threshold and comparing in-person, expert-defined MBPs in non-clinical settings with passive control groups. Two researchers independently selected, extracted, and appraised trials using the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool (RoB2). Anonymised IPD of eligible trials were sought from collaborating authors. The primary outcome was psychological distress (unpleasant mental or emotional experiences including anxiety and depression) at 1 to 6 months after programme completion. Data were checked and imputed if missing. Pairwise, random-effects, two-stage IPD meta-analyses were conducted. Effect modification analyses followed a within-studies approach. Public and professional stakeholders were involved in the planning, conduct and dissemination of this study. Fifteen trials were eligible, 13 trialists shared IPD (2,371 participants representing 8 countries, median age 34 years-old, 71% women, moderately distressed on average, 20% missing outcome data). In comparison with passive control groups, MBPs reduced average distress between one- and six-months post-intervention with a small to moderate effect size (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.41 to -0.24; p-value < 0.001; 95% prediction interval (PI) -0.41 to -0.24 (no heterogeneity)). Results were robust to sensitivity analyses, and similar for the other psychological distress time point ranges. Confidence in the primary outcome result is high. We found no clear indication that this effect is modified by baseline psychological distress, gender, age, education level, or dispositional mindfulness. Group-based teacher-led MBPs generally reduce psychological distress among community adults who volunteer to receive this type of intervention. More research is needed to identify sources of variability in outcomes at an individual level.