Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Yolanda Álvarez-Pérez, Amado Rivero-Santana, Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez, Andrea Duarte-Díaz, Vanesa Ramos-García, Ana Toledo-Chávarri, Alezandra Torres-Castaño, Beatriz León-Salas, Diego Infante-Ventura, Nerea González-Hernández, Leticia Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Pedro Serrano-Aguilar
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health March 13, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063380 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mantra-based meditation Mental health Meta-analysis Systematic review |
| Key findings | Mantra-based meditation techniques produce small-to-moderate significant reductions in anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress, and improvements in mental health-related quality of life compared to control conditions. |
Abstract
Meditation is defined as a form of cognitive training that aims to improve attentional and emotional self-regulation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness and safety of mantra-based meditation techniques (MBM), in comparison to passive or active controls, or other active treatment, for the management of mental health symptoms. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases were consulted up to April 2021. Randomised controlled trials regarding meditation techniques mainly based on the repetition of mantras, such as transcendental meditation or others, were included. MBM, compared to control conditions, was found to produce significant small-to-moderate effect sizes in the reduction of anxiety (g = -0.46, IC95%: -0.60, -0.32; I2 = 33%), depression (g = -0.33, 95% CI: -0.48, -0.19; I2 = 12%), stress (g = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.65, -0.24; I2 = 46%), post-traumatic stress (g = -0.59, 95% CI: -0.79, -0.38; I2 = 0%), and mental health-related quality of life (g = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.49; I2 = 0%). MBM appears to produce small-to-moderate significant reductions in mental health; however, this evidence is weakened by the risk of study bias and the paucity of studies with psychiatric samples and long-term follow-up.
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 29
- Intrinsic neural timescales exhibit different lengths in distinct meditation techniques. Neuroimage August 15, 2024
- Direct comparisons between hypnosis and meditation: A mini-review. Frontiers in Psychology July 15, 2022
- The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness. Journal of Affective Disorders August 15, 2023
- The role of meditation and mindfulness in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a scoping review. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024
- Effectiveness of Meditation Techniques in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) December 12, 2024
and 24 more in the library
Cites 42
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: An experimental study with the elderly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1989
- Unwanted effects: Is there a negative side of meditation? A multicentre survey PLoS One September 5, 2017
- Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Technique on Trait Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 9, 2013
- Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Stress, Depression, and Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Study The Permanente Journal January 30, 2014
and 37 more in the library