Do Mindfulness Meditation Participants Do Their Homework? And Does It Make a Difference? A Review of the Empirical Evidence
Lisa Christine Vettese, Tony Toneatto, Jonathan N. Stea, Linda Nguyen, Jenny Jing Wang
Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy August 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1891/0889-8391.23.3.198 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 98 |
| Population | Studies on mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Only 24 of 98 reviewed studies assessed the link between home practice and clinical outcomes, and 13 of those found at least partial support. The authors argue this reveals a disparity between clinical beliefs and empirical evidence regarding home practice benefits. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to alleviate symptoms of a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Regular between-session practice of mindfulness meditation is among the key factors proposed to produce the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness-based programs. This article reviews the mindfulness intervention literature with a focus on the status of home practice research and the relationship of practice to mindfulness program outcomes. Of 98 studies reviewed, nearly one-quarter ( N = 24) evaluated the associations between home practice and measures of clinical functioning, with just over half ( N = 13) demonstrating at least partial support for the benefits of practice. These findings indicate a substantial disparity between what is espoused clinically and what is known empirically about the benefits of mindfulness practice. Improved methodologies for tracking and evaluating the effects of home practice are recommended.