Efficacy of mindfulness meditation for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Margaret Maglione, Alicia Ruelaz Maher, Brett A. Ewing, Benjamin Colaiaco, Sydne J Newberry, Ryan Kandrack, Roberta M Shanman, Melony E. Sorbero, Susanne Hempel
Addictive Behaviors June 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.01.022 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Smokers participating in randomized controlled trials of mindfulness meditation for tobacco use |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Intervention Meta-analysis Mindfulness meditation Smoking cessation Tobacco |
| Key findings | Across 10 randomized controlled trials, mindfulness meditation did not significantly improve abstinence or reduce cigarettes per day compared with comparator interventions such as the Freedom from Smoking program, quitline counseling, interactive learning, or treatment as usual. No serious adverse events were reported. The authors note that only one trial was rated good quality, publication bias was detected, and heterogeneity precluded comparing adjunctive with monotherapy approaches. |
Abstract
Smokers increasingly seek alternative interventions to assist in cessation or reduction efforts. Mindfulness meditation, which facilitates detached observation and paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance, has recently been studied as a smoking cessation intervention. This review synthesizes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness meditation (MM) interventions for smoking cessation. Five electronic databases were searched from inception to October 2016 to identify English-language RCTs evaluating the efficacy and safety of MM interventions for smoking cessation, reduction, or a decrease in nicotine cravings. Two independent reviewers screened literature using predetermined eligibility criteria, abstracted study-level information, and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analyses used the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Ten RCTs of MM interventions for tobacco use met inclusion criteria. Intervention duration, intensity, and comparison conditions varied considerably. Studies used diverse comparators such as the American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking (FFS) program, quitline counseling, interactive learning, or treatment as usual (TAU). Only one RCT was rated as good quality and reported power calculations indicating sufficient statistical power. Publication bias was detected. Overall, mindfulness meditation did not have significant effects on abstinence or cigarettes per day, relative to comparator groups. The small number of studies and heterogeneity in interventions, comparators, and outcomes precluded detecting systematic differences between adjunctive and monotherapy interventions. No serious adverse events were reported. MM did not differ significantly from comparator interventions in their effects on tobacco use. Low-quality evidence, variability in study design among the small number of existing studies, and publication bias suggest that additional, high-quality adequately powered RCTs should be conducted.
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 15
- Mindfulness-based interventions for addictive behaviors: Implementation issues on the road ahead. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors October 26, 2017
- The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness. Journal of Affective Disorders August 15, 2023
- What predicts meditation app engagement? an evaluation of user characteristics and motivation. Psychology and Health April 7, 2026
- Smoking cessation with CBT and mindfulness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials March 19, 2026
- Person-Centered Mindfulness: A Culturally and Spiritually Sensitive Approach to Clinical Practice. Journal of Religion and Health June 2023
and 10 more in the library
Cites 9
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Efficacy of mindfulness-based addiction treatment (MBAT) for smoking cessation and lapse recovery: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology September 1, 2016
- Pilot randomized trial on mindfulness training for smokers in young adult binge drinkers BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine September 3, 2013
- Brief meditation training induces smoking reduction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences August 20, 2013
- Mind-body practices: an alternative, drug-free treatment for smoking cessation? A systematic review of the literature. Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 8, 2013
and 4 more in the library