The Impact of Baseline Mindfulness Scores on Mindfulness-Based Intervention Outcomes: Toward Personalized Mental Health Interventions.
Rodrigo C. Vergara, Constanza Baquedano, Enrique Lorca-Ponce, Christoph Steinebach, Álvaro I Langer
Frontiers in Psychology July 11, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.934614 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of three randomized controlled trials Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 164 |
| Population | Participants aged 12 to 45 from clinical and non-clinical samples across three prior randomized controlled trials |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health Baseline Mindfulness-based interventions Personal trajectories Rcts outcomes |
| Key findings | Baseline mindfulness scores predicted at least two thirds of the change in mindfulness scores produced by mindfulness-based interventions, and many outcome trajectories were influenced both by participants' initial status and by the specific intervention received, as shown by significant interactions. The authors argue these findings support attending to individual differences and diverse trajectories in intervention research and personalized care. |
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has portrayed mindfulness as a useful tool for dealing with a broad range of psychological problems and disorders. This has created the impression that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can be used to treat nearly all psychological difficulties, in all cases. Nonetheless, little research has been done on how individual differences may contribute to intervention outcomes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of baseline mindfulness on participants' outcomes by examining three prior Randomized Controlled Trials that addressed the impact of MBIs on mental health and mindfulness measures. The participants were 164 people, aged between 12 and 45, from both clinical and non-clinical samples. Our findings indicate that at least two thirds of the change produced by these interventions in terms of mindfulness scores can be predicted by the baseline scores of the same variables. We also found that many trajectories are not only strongly influenced by the initial status of the participants, but also by the intervention performed, as attested to by the significant interactions found. These results stress the need to continue doing research in a way that considers the diversity of participants' trajectories, increasing the room for intervention improvements aligned with a more personalized health care model.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |