The Effects of a Brief Mindful Walking Intervention on Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Novice Meditators
Appalachian State University January 21, 2026 DOI: 10.71889/5fylantbak.31070827 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Non-meditating participants |
| Intervention | Mindful walking |
| Duration | Four sessions |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindful walking did not significantly improve trait mindfulness, depression, anxiety, or stress compared to an active control group. |
Abstract
Research suggests that regular mindfulness meditation practice leads to a variety of beneficial outcomes, including improved mood and well-being. Although mindfulness meditation has traditionally been practiced in various forms, the vast majority of the psychological literature on the topic has examined the effects of seated mindfulness exercises. Mindful walking has been practiced for thousands of years and is a common component of many mindfulness-based interventions, though little research has examined the effects of mindful walking on mental health outcomes. Fifty-eight non-meditating participants were randomly assigned to either four sessions of mindful walking or an active control group. Results from mixed-model repeated measures ANOVAs indicated no significant improvements in trait mindfulness, depression, anxiety, or stress for the mindful walking group compared to the control group. While the control group exhibited a significant decline in trait mindfulness scores following the first session, the mindful walking group’s scores remained relatively consistent across the sessions. State mindfulness, however, was consistently higher in the mindful walking group immediately after each session. These findings contradict those of previous research and raise questions regarding the utility of mindful walking programs for improving mindfulness, depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among novice meditators.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.