Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on perceived stress among non-clinical adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Anisha Rajan, Mahendra Kumar, Pranav Raj P
npj Mental Health Research February 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-026-00188-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,641 |
| Population | Non-clinical adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduce perceived stress in non-clinical adults compared to control conditions, with a moderate-to-large effect size and consistent effects across regions and delivery modalities. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are recognised as effective psychosocial strategies for managing stress. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published up to August 2025 across the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, EBSCO and Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines. Seventeen randomised controlled trials (n = 1,641) met the inclusion criteria. Baseline stress did not differ between MBI and control groups (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = -0.07 to 0.36, p = 0.18). Post-intervention, MBIs were associated with significantly lower perceived stress (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI = -0.72 to -0.33, p < 0.00001). Within-group analyses indicated substantial reductions among MBI participants (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.62 to 1.23, p < 0.00001), whereas controls showed only marginal changes (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.00 to 0.46, p = 0.05). Subgroup analyses confirmed effectiveness across regions and delivery modalities, with larger effects observed in indirect interventions (SMD = -0.676, p < 0.001). Meta-regression found no significant moderators, and sensitivity analyses demonstrated robustness with minimal publication bias. Collectively, these results support MBIs as effective and scalable strategies for reducing perceived stress in non-clinical adults, highlighting the need for further evaluation of their effects on physiological stress markers.
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 14
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Brief mindfulness-based training and mindfulness trait attenuate psychological stress in university students: a randomized controlled trial BMC Psychology February 1, 2021
- The Effectiveness of a Neurofeedback-Assisted Mindfulness Training Program Using a Mobile App on Stress Reduction in Employees: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth October 3, 2023
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness: effects on university students' mental health. International journal of mental health systems October 13, 2023
and 9 more in the library