Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on empathy: A meta-analysis.
Zhengyu Hu, Yurong Wen, Yafei Wang, Yangyang Lin, Jian Shi, Zihan Yu, Youtian Lin, Yuling Wang
Frontiers in Psychology October 20, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.992575 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy populations |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Randomized controlled trial Empathy |
| Key findings | Pooled across 13 studies, mindfulness-based interventions improved empathy in healthy populations compared with control conditions, with a small-to-moderate effect (SMD 0.372, 95% CI 0.164-0.579). The authors report that intervention dose, delivery format, and intervention type were important factors affecting outcomes, and conclude that MBIs are an effective treatment for empathy in healthy people. |
Abstract
Empathy is essential for human survival and social interaction. Although mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been used to improve empathy in healthy populations, its therapeutic efficacy remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of MBIs on empathy in a healthy population and the potential factors affecting the efficacy of MBIs. The literature search focused on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CNKI from inception to September 2022. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies reporting the effects of using MBIs on empathy in healthy populations were included. A total of 13 studies were included in this review. Results of the meta-analysis showed that MBIs improved empathy (SMD, 0.372, 95% CI, 0.164-0.579, p = 0.001) in the healthy population compared with that in the control group. Moreover, results of the subgroup analysis showed that intervention dose (over 24 h vs. under 24 h), format (online vs. offline), and types (different types) were important factors affecting treatment outcomes. This comprehensive review suggests that MBIs are effective treatment for empathy in healthy population. Future research should markedly focus on large-sample, rigorously designed experiments to explore the long-term effects of MBIs on empathy and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of MBIs. This study provides a reference for the daily application of MBIs.
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 10
- Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience, empathy, and mental health in the medical profession. World Journal of Psychiatry April 19, 2024
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders July 15, 2025
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Addiction Symptoms: Does Neuroplasticity Play a Role? Brain Sciences March 27, 2024
- Mindfulness in Nursing Education: A Holistic Strategy for Enhancing Student Well-Being and Resilience. Journal of Holistic Nursing December 24, 2025
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression among students: a systematic review and meta-analysis Clinical Psychologist February 9, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 23
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- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Meditation Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics February 18, 2010
- Mindfulness meditation training alters cortical representations of interoceptive attention Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience June 11, 2012
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