The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Physiological Markers of Stress in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Synthesis
Samantha Galluzzi, Claudio Singh Solorzano, Moira Marizzoni, Elena Gatti, Carlotta Gualco, Mariangela Lanfredi, Roberta Rossi, Annamaria Cattaneo, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Cristiano Crescentini, Emilio di Maria, Michela Pievani
Mindfulness December 2, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02718-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Interventions | mindfulness-based stress reduction mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Population Mental illness Cognition Mental health Clinical trial Promotion chess Chronic stress Clinical psychology Public health |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions showed positive effects on physiological markers across five stress-related systems in older adults, with combined p-values indicating statistical significance for each system. |
Abstract
Given the rapid increase in population ageing and considering the great impact that mental disorders have on global disability, there is a critical need for mental health promotion in older adults. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been widely used to improve mental health. However, a comprehensive understanding of their neurobiological effects is still missing. We therefore conducted a systematic review of controlled clinical trials evaluating the effects of MBIs on the physiological markers of stress in older adults. A systematic literature search was conducted in five electronic databases and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Controlled trials of mindfulness-based stress reduction or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy programs for older adults measuring any physiological outcome were identified. The combined p -value analysis, following the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis reporting guidelines, was used for data synthesis. A sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis by the study population were also conducted. Based on 22 eligible studies, the synthesis shows a positive effect of MBIs on 43 physiological outcomes grouped by five stress-related systems, i.e., brain circuits and signalling (combined p -value < 0.001), the sympathetic-adrenomedullar axis (combined p -value = 0.004), the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (combined p -value = 0.011), the immune system (combined p -value = 0.037), and gene expression and epigenetic mediators (combined p -value < 0.001). The effects on brain circuits and signalling were noticeable in both clinical and community populations. These findings preliminarily support the influence of MBIs on pathophysiological pathways related to chronic stress at a system level. Limitations of the included studies (e.g., outcome heterogeneity, small sample size, concern for risk of bias) and future perspectives are discussed. A protocol of this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD42023390236).
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 44
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- 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
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
and 39 more in the library