Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological distress, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Dan Li, Jiaqi Zheng, Guangpeng Wang
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.70195 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 356 |
| Population | Women with polycystic ovary syndrome |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based interventions yoga mindfulness meditation |
| Measures | HOMA-IR |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Polycystic ovary syndrome Insulin resistance Hyperandrogenism Yoga Quality of life Female Psychological distress Meta‐analysis |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions were associated with significant reductions in BMI, body weight, and abdominal circumference, improvements in total testosterone and clinical hirsutism, and significantly better disease-specific quality of life in women with PCOS. Generic depression and anxiety scores did not improve significantly, and the insulin resistance finding rested on only two studies. The authors propose these interventions may act as metabolic and endocrine modulators. |
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) negatively impacts women's metabolic health, reproductive hormones, and psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as yoga and mindfulness meditation, on anthropometric indices, metabolic profiles, reproductive hormones, and quality of life in women with PCOS. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 356 participants, selected from databases including PubMed and Cochrane Library up to January 2025. Data were synthesized using Review Manager 5.3 to calculate mean differences (MDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs). Women in the MBI groups showed significant reductions in BMI, body weight, abdominal circumference, and preliminary improvements in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; based on two studies), alongside improvements in total testosterone levels and clinical hirsutism. Although generic depression and anxiety scores did not show significant differences, disease-specific quality of life improved significantly. MBIs show potential as metabolic and endocrine modulators and may offer benefits in insulin sensitivity, weight management, and hyperandrogenism beyond mere stress reduction for women with PCOS.
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 4
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: A Systematic Review. Neurology International November 20, 2024
- Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research August 23, 2017
- Mindfulness Intervention for Stress Eating to Reduce Cortisol and Abdominal Fat among Overweight and Obese Women: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Study Journal of Obesity November 1, 2011