Skip to content

Mindfulness for psychosis: Current evidence, unanswered questions and future directions

Lyn Ellett

Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice June 30, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12480 (opens in new tab)

Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Systematic review of meta-analyses Peer reviewed
Intervention Mindfulness
Topics Meditation
Citations 19
Key findings Across ten meta-analyses published between 2013 and 2023, reported effect sizes for reductions in psychotic symptoms ranged from small to large. The authors conclude that mindfulness is a promising intervention emerging as both safe and effective for people with psychosis, and they call for future research on mechanisms of change and implementation in routine clinical practice.

Abstract

PURPOSE &

Method: Mindfulness for psychosis research has grown exponentially over the last 15 years. In this paper, a brief overview of mindfulness for psychosis is provided followed by a summary of the findings from a systematic search of meta-analyses dated up to February 2023. Current issues in the field are discussed and a future research agenda is presented.

Results: Ten meta-analyses published between 2013 and 2023 were identified. Reported effect sizes on reductions in psychotic symptoms ranged from small-large across reviews. Four key issues in the field are identified and discussed - (1) is mindfulness for psychosis safe? (2) is home practice essential and related to clinical outcomes? (3) what is the impact of mindfulness practice versus metacognitive insights derived from practice, on clinical outcomes? (4) do the benefits translate into routine clinical practice?

Conclusions: Mindfulness is a promising intervention that is emerging as being both safe and effective for people with psychosis. Future research focused on evaluating mechanisms of change and implementation in routine clinical practice should be prioritised.

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

Cited by 7

and 2 more in the library

Cites 3

Related reading

Explore topics

Meditation