Effectiveness of Mind-Body Therapies on Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, and Stress in Graduate Health Professions Students: A Systematic Review.
Kent E Irwin, Elizabeth Campione, Hannah Bargouthi, Colleen Collins, Jessica Pop, Vann Reamer, Colleen Bannon
Journal of allied health September 18, 2026 DOI: 10.21091/jah.2026.03066 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,220 |
| Population | Graduate health professions students across six health professions programs |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation yoga breathing exercises |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Key findings | Mind-body therapies such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises show promise for reducing anxiety and stress in graduate health professions students, with 5 of 9 anxiety studies and 13 of 22 stress studies reporting improvements. Evidence for depression was inconsistent, with only 1 of 7 studies showing improvement, and none of the 3 burnout studies showed positive results. |
Abstract
Mental health conditions are prevalent among graduate health professions students and can negatively impact academic performance, well-being, and relationships. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of mind-body therapies (MBTs) on anxiety, burnout, depression, and stress in graduate health professions students. Five healthcare/academic databases were searched from 2008 through August 25, 2023. 1) graduate health professions students; 2) MBT interventions; and 3) anxiety, burnout, depression, and/or stress outcomes. Title/abstract screening, full-text review, level of evidence, and quality assessment were performed by author pairs. Of 2,511 screened records, 24 met inclusion criteria, representing 2,220 students across 6 health professions programs. Studies described 8 anxiety, 2 burnout, 7 depression, and 10 stress outcomes. The average QuADS score was 73.64% (range 53.85-100%). Fifteen studies reported significant improvements in at least 1 anxiety, depression, or stress outcome. Of 9 studies that measured anxiety, 5 demonstrated reductions. Depression results were inconsistent, with only 1 of 7 studies showing improvements. Stress outcomes improved most frequently, with 13 of 22 studies reporting benefits. None of the 3 burnout studies showed positive results. MBTs such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises show promise in reducing anxiety and stress. Evidence supporting improvements in burnout and depression remains quite limited.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Mindfulness interventions in medical education: A systematic review of their impact on medical student stress, depression, fatigue and burnout Medical Teacher November 7, 2017
- Effectiveness of training programs based on mindfulness in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews May 5, 2023
- A 5-Week Seminar on the Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Model of Self-Care Improves Anxiety, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, Depression, and Stress in Graduate Healthcare Students International Journal of Yoga Therapy May 30, 2019
- The effect of mindfulness‐based interventions on reducing stress in future health professionals: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 1, 2023
- Mindfulness training in healthcare professions: A scoping review of systematic reviews. Med Educ January 17, 2024
and 4 more in the library