A systematic review of the mindful sport performance enhancement program
Thomas O. Minkler, Ekaterina Oparina, Jason Kostrna
International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology July 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/1750984x.2025.2521774 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Sport psychology Applied psychology Cognitive psychology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Insufficient rigorous investigations of MSPE exist to draw robust conclusions about the program's efficacy. |
Abstract
Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) is a manualized mindfulness-based intervention for performers. The availability and adaptability of MSPE make it accessible for application and research. There has been a proliferation of research examining the effects of MSPE with performers since it's development in 2009. However, there have been no attempts to synthesize the extant literature. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to systematically review the MSPE literature and provide recommendations for future study. The search generated 41 existing MSPE studies focusing on various dependent variables. Risk of bias analyses revealed just two studies were low risk, with many labeled as moderate or high risk. Because most studies had a high risk of bias, and because there is significant variation in outcomes and designs, reliable point estimates were not possible. While findings are encouraging, particularly with regard to mindfulness, anxiety and emotion regulation, it was concluded that insufficient rigorous investigations of MSPE exist to draw robust conclusions about the program's efficacy. Therefore, key findings indicate that future researchers can consider randomization or elements of quasi-experimental design to boost rigor. Additionally, rigor can be improved through pre-registration, collaboration between practitioners and researchers, and greater detail in implementation reporting.
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
Cites 26
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
and 21 more in the library