Review: Effectiveness of mindfulness in improving mental health symptoms of children and adolescents: a meta-analysis.
Kannan Kallapiran, Siew Koo, Richard Kirubakaran, Karen Hancock
Child and Adolescent Mental Health November 2015 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12113 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Children and adolescents in clinical and nonclinical samples |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Rcts Mindfulness interventions Therapy Yoga |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based stress reduction/mindfulness-based cognitive therapy outperformed nonactive control in nonclinical children and adolescents, and acceptance and commitment therapy was comparable to active treatments in clinical-range patients. Other MBIs improved anxiety and stress but not depression in nonclinical populations versus nonactive control. The authors caution that significant limitations warrant cautious interpretation. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly used in the management of various mental health disorders in children and adolescents. However, there is limited evidence about the efficacy of various interventions used. A systematic review was performed to examine the effects of different MBIs on mental health symptoms and quality of life in both clinical and nonclinical samples of children and adolescents using data from only randomized control trials. The studies were also assessed for quality. Based on the type of MBI, study population, and control arm we had three comparisons for meta-analyses. Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative analysis but only 11 trials with comparable interventions and controls were included for meta-analyses. Mindfulness-based stress reduction/mindfulness-based cognitive therapy arm was more effective than nonactive control in the nonclinical populations. Acceptance commitment therapy was comparable to active treatments in patients in the clinical range. Other MBIs were also effective improving anxiety and stress but not depression in nonclinical populations compared to nonactive control. Mindfulness-based interventions can be effective in children and adolescents with mental health symptoms. As there were significant limitations these results must be interpreted with caution.
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 44
- Gender differences in response to a school-based mindfulness training intervention for early adolescents. Journal of school psychology June 1, 2018
- A multisite feasibility randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based resilience training for aggression, stress, and health in law enforcement officers. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies April 4, 2024
- The relationship between mindfulness and mental distress in Chinese people during the COVID-19 pandemic: Moderating effects of infection severity of region and mediating effects of resilience and self-efficacy Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology 2023
- Mindfulness Reduces Adolescent Depression Through Stress Appraisal and Cognitive Reactivity: Evidence from a Four-Wave Longitudinal Study. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) June 26, 2025
- Exploring the Effects of Mindfulness on Adolescent Depression-Findings from a Longitudinal Study. Healthcare April 15, 2025
and 39 more in the library
Cites 17
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition Choice Reviews Online July 1, 2005
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- Mindfulness Training for Elementary School Students Journal of Applied School Psychology July 6, 2005
- Mindfulness‐based approaches: are they all the same? Journal of Clinical Psychology January 19, 2011
and 12 more in the library