Evaluation of Meditation as a Treatment for GAD.
Liam Lenh
Preprints.org January 16, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.20944/preprints202501.1258.v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Literature review |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | The review examines whether Buddhist Vipassana meditation is effective for managing generalized anxiety disorder relative to conventional treatments like medication and professional therapy. The authors highlight that GAD is increasingly prevalent and often undiagnosed, and that conventional treatments, while reasonably effective, can be costly and inaccessible, motivating interest in meditation-based alternatives. |
Abstract
Recently, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has become a more prevalent mental health issue across the population. It is on the rise globally and is particularly affecting higher-income countries, such as the United States; in the United States, anxiety prevalence rose from 5.12% in 2008 to 6.68% in 2018 among adults aged 18 and older, indicating a significant upward trend. Furthermore, evidence suggests there is a significant number of people suffering from undiagnosed GAD, in addition to the diagnosed count. Most of the widely used methods like medication and professional therapy, while decently effective, can be expensive and inaccessible to many people. This literature review explores the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation, specifically Buddhist Vipassana, in managing GAD compared to conventional treatments.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review General (healthcare, schools, workplace) | 2021 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology | 2018 | Review | |
| Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies | 2020 | Review |