Emotion-related constructs engaged by mindfulness-based interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Elizabeth A Hoge, Rebecca L. Acabchuk, Hannah J. Kimmel, Ethan Moitra, Willoughby B. Britton, Travis Dumais, Rebecca A. Ferrer, Sara W. Lazar, David R. Vago, Jonah Lipsky, Zev Schuman-Olivier, Aya Cheaito, Lauren Sager, Sarah Peters, Hadley Rahrig, Pamela Acero, Jodi Scharf, Eric B Loucks, Carl Fulwiler
Mindfulness May 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-020-01561-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 7,378 |
| Population | Adults participating in trials of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), or modified variations |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Affect regulation Emotion Measurement tools |
| Key findings | Across 72 studies, mindfulness-based interventions improved emotion-related processing relative to inactive controls (d=0.58), including depression (d=0.66), anxiety (d=0.63), combined mental health (d=0.75), and stress (d=0.44). They did not outperform active controls. MBCT showed stronger effects than MBSR, though this was driven by a small number of studies; measurement tool and population type did not moderate results. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been widely implemented to improve self-regulation behaviors, often by targeting emotion-related constructs to facilitate change. Yet the degree to which MBIs engage specific measures of emotion-related constructs has not been systematically examined. Using advanced meta-analytic techniques, this review examines construct and measurement engagement in trials of adults that used standardized applications of the two most established MBIs: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), or modified variations of these interventions that met defined criteria. Seventy-two studies (N=7,378) were included (MBSR k=47, MBCT k = 21, Modified k=4). MBIs led to significant improvement in emotion-related processing overall, compared to inactive controls (d=0.58; k =36), and in all constructs assessed: depression (d=0.66; k=26), anxiety (d =0.63; k=19), combined mental health (d =0.75; k=7 ) and stress (d =0.44; k=11). Reactions to pain, mood states, emotion regulation, and biological measures lacked sufficient data for analysis. MBIs did not outperform active controls in any analyses. Measurement tool and population-type did not moderate results, but MBI-type did, in that MBCT showed stronger effects than MBSR, although these effects were driven by a small number of studies. This review is the first to examine the full scope of emotion-related measures relevant to self-regulation, to determine which measures are most influenced by MBCT/MBSR. Compared to extant reviews, which typically focused on MBI outcomes, this work examined mechanistic processes based on measurement domains and tools. While effect sizes were similar among measurement tools, this review also includes a descriptive evaluation of measures and points of caution, providing guidance to MBI researchers and clinicians for selection of emotion-related measurement tools.
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 24
- Impact of warm mindfulness on emotion regulation: A randomized controlled effectiveness trial. Health Psychology July 6, 2023
- Change starts with the body: Interoceptive appreciation mediates the effect of mindfulness training on behavior change - an effect moderated by depression severity. Psychiatry Research December 1, 2024
- The Value of Contemplative Practices: A Mixed Methods Approach Exploring Associations between Resilience and Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Older Adults International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health August 17, 2022
- The Effect of a Combined Mindfulness and Yoga Intervention on Soldier Mental Health in Basic Combat Training: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety 2023
- Brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Women With Myocardial Infarction: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. JACC. Advances February 1, 2025
and 19 more in the library
Cites 41
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- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
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