Mindfulness-Based Programmes for Work Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Maris Vainre, Tim Dalgleish, Tia Bendriss-Otiko, Molly Butler, Amelia Kirkpatrick, Nana Kosugiyama, Fabiana Mariscotti, Candelaria Martinez-Sosa, Athina Sideri, Sebastian Sönksen, Tim Wood, Caitlin Hitchcock, Julieta Galante
Stress and Health December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/smi.70123 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16,054 |
| Population | Employees and students in academic and occupational settings |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based programmes |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta‐analysis Systematic review Work performance |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based programmes improve task performance compared with passive controls but not compared with active controls, with very low confidence in the evidence. |
Abstract
Employers and universities globally subsidise access to mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) for their employees and students to improve work performance, despite unclear evidence. This paper offers the highest quality synthesis of MBPs' impact on work performance in academic and occupational settings to date (PROSPERO #191756). On 2nd August 2024, we searched eight databases. The primary outcome was task performance-the quantity and quality of completed tasks assigned to the individual. Secondary outcomes were contextual performance, adaptive performance, and counter-productive behaviour. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data, and appraised risks of bias. We conducted pairwise random-effects meta-analyses of 99 studies (N = 16,054). MBPs were found to improve task performance at post-intervention compared to passive control groups (k = 22, Hedges' g = 0.25, 95% CI 0.06-0.44, p = 0.01, I2 = 81.48%) but not compared to active control groups (k = 4, Hedges' g = 0.12, 95% CI -0.3-0.55, p = 0.43, I2 = 62.87%). MBPs improved adaptive performance and contextual performance. Effects may last several months. Confidence in the review results, per Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), is very low.
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
- Effects of transcendental meditation on mental health and work productivity among university staff in Australia: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders September 23, 2026
- Brief mindfulness intervention prior to simulated central venous access device insertion: A pilot randomised feasibility study. Critical Care and Resuscitation July 9, 2026
- Mindful leadership training for public administration executive staff: a non-randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology April 11, 2026
Cites 46
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
and 41 more in the library