A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy Intervention on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Xinmin Jiang, Minghui Zhang, Jiaqi Wang, Jing Wang, Yu Zhang
Cureus October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.95793 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 832 |
| Population | PTSD patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Meta‐analysis Mindfulness‐based stress reduction Post‐traumatic stress disorder Randomized controlled tria |
| Key findings | MBSR significantly reduces depression and PTSD symptoms and improves quality of life and mindfulness in PTSD patients. |
Abstract
This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the treatment and improvement of traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Up until February 6, 2025, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of MBSR-based treatment for PTSD patients. RevMan 5.4 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK) was used to conduct a meta-analysis of these trials. A total of 832 participants from nine qualified randomized controlled trials were enrolled. Meta-analysis results showed that in PTSD patients, depression scores after Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention were significantly lower compared with the control group (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = -0.25, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.10; P = 0.0006). Quality of life (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI 0.10-0.70; P = 0.008) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI 0.24-0.57; P < 0.00001) scores were significantly higher than in the control group. PTSD symptoms (SMD = -0.20, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.09; P = 0.0003), various PTSD checklist scores (SMD = -1.28, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.03; P = 0.02), and clinician-administered PTSD scale scores (SMD = -0.23, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.07; P = 0.004) were also significantly reduced following MBSR intervention. MBSR can reduce depression, PTSD symptoms, and improve the quality of life and mindfulness in PTSD patients.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 13
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- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A literature review Salud Mental January 27, 2023
- Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) for Chronic Pain: a Randomized Clinical Trial Mindfulness December 1, 2022
and 8 more in the library