The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review
S. Hofmann, Alice T. Sawyer, Ashley A. Witt, Diana Oh
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology April 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1037/a0018555 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness-based therapy is moderately effective for reducing anxiety and mood symptoms in clinical populations. An effect-size analysis of 39 studies with 1,140 participants found moderate improvements in anxiety (Hedges’ g = 0.63) and mood symptoms (Hedges’ g = 0.59) from pre- to post-treatment. Among patients with anxiety and mood disorders, the effects were larger (Hedges’ g = 0.97 for anxiety, 0.95 for mood). These benefits were robust, unrelated to publication year or number of treatment sessions, and were maintained over follow-up. The findings indicate that mindfulness-based therapy is a promising intervention for treating anxiety and mood problems in clinical samples.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,140 |
| Population | Clinical samples with conditions including cancer, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and other psychiatric or medical conditions |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based therapy |
| Keywords | Psychology Medicine |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based therapy was moderately effective for improving anxiety and mood symptoms in clinical populations, with larger effects in patients with anxiety and mood disorders. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although mindfulness-based therapy has become a popular treatment, little is known about its efficacy. OBJECTIVES To conduct an effect size analysis of this popular intervention for anxiety and mood symptoms in clinical samples. DATA SOURCES A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library, and manual searches. REVIEW METHODS The search identified 39 studies totaling 1,140 participants receiving mindfulness-based therapy for a range of conditions, including cancer, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and other psychiatric or medical conditions. RESULTS Effect size estimates suggest that mindfulness-based therapy was moderately effective for improving anxiety (Hedges’ g = 0.63) and mood symptoms (Hedges’ g = 0.59) from pre to post-treatment in the overall sample. In patients with anxiety and mood disorders, this intervention was associated with effect sizes (Hedges’ g) of 0.97 and 0.95 for improving anxiety and mood symptoms, respectively. These effect sizes were robust, unrelated to publication year or number of treatment sessions, and were maintained over follow-up. CONCLUSION These results suggest that mindfulness-based therapy is a promising intervention for treating anxiety and mood problems in clinical populations.