Mapping the evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions as a stress recovery strategy in the workplace: a scoping review
Raquel Ruiz-íñiguez, Carlos-María Alcover
Cogent Psychology February 17, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2026.2626601 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | The authors conclude that mindfulness-based interventions show potential benefits for recovery from workplace stress, with evidence supporting a positive impact on psychological detachment and, indirectly, on health and well-being. However, mindfulness practice did not demonstrate significant advantages over other activities or practices. |
Abstract
This research adopts the stressor-detachment model of recovery from work and explores existing applications of mindfulness interventions to facilitate recovery as measured by psychological detachment. Given the attentional and cognitive nature of mindfulness, its connection to the core dimension of recovery—psychological detachment—can significantly enhance the understanding of the effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs). Articles were retrieved from electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane, covering publications up to October 2024. The PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were followed. A total of 22 studies were included in the analysis. The data from these articles were qualitatively summarized. The results highlight a diverse array of mindfulness-based interventions designed to facilitate recovery from workplace stress. These interventions vary in terms of their characteristics, methodologies, and study samples. The existing evidence indicates potential benefits associated with these interventions. Although mindfulness practice does not show significant advantages over other activities or practices, reported evidence supports its positive impact on recovery experiences—measured via psychological detachment—and, indirectly, on outcome variables related to health and well-being, as outlined by the stressor-detachment model.
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 21
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life: Is Increased Mindfulness Indeed the Mechanism? Annals of Behavioral Medicine June 1, 2008
- Mindfulness on-the-go: Effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology May 3, 2018
- Mindfulness‐based approaches: are they all the same? Journal of Clinical Psychology January 19, 2011
and 16 more in the library