Mindfulness-based therapy: a comprehensive meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) by conducting a comprehensive effect-size analysis to clarify inconsistencies in existing literature.
Results Summary
MBT was found to be moderately effective in pre-post comparisons, against waitlist controls, and other active treatments, particularly for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. It showed no significant difference compared to traditional CBT, behavioral therapies, or pharmacological treatments.
Population
12,145 participants across 209 studies (general psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, and stress).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | efficacy | pre-post comparisons (n=72) | Hedge's g=.55 | moderately effective | #1 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | efficacy | comparisons with waitlist controls (n=67) | Hedge's g=.53 | moderately effective | #2 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | efficacy | compared with other active treatments (n=68) | Hedge's g=.33 | moderately effective | #3 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | efficacy | compared with other psychological treatments (n=35) | Hedge's g=.22 | moderately effective | #4 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | no change | efficacy | compared with traditional CBT or behavioral therapies (n=9) | Hedge's g=-.07 | did not differ | #5 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | no change | efficacy | compared with pharmacological treatments (n=3) | Hedge's g=.13 | did not differ | #6 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | treatment for a variety of psychological problems | - | - | effective | #7 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | decrease | anxiety | - | - | especially effective for reducing | #8 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | decrease | depression | - | - | especially effective for reducing | #9 |
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | decrease | stress | - | - | especially effective for reducing | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) has become a popular form of intervention. However, the existing reviews report inconsistent findings. OBJECTIVE: To clarify these inconsistencies in the literature, we conducted a comprehensive effect-size analysis to evaluate the efficacy of MBT. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of studies published in journals or in dissertations in PubMED or PsycINFO from the first available date until May 10, 2013. REVIEW METHODS: A total of 209 studies (n=12,145) were included. RESULTS: Effect-size estimates suggested that MBT is moderately effective in pre-post comparisons (n=72; Hedge's g=.55), in comparisons with waitlist controls (n=67; Hedge's g=.53), and when compared with other active treatments (n=68; Hedge's g=.33), including other psychological treatments (n=35; Hedge's g=.22). MBT did not differ from traditional CBT or behavioral therapies (n=9; Hedge's g=-.07) or pharmacological treatments (n=3; Hedge's g=.13). CONCLUSION: MBT is an effective treatment for a variety of psychological problems, and is especially effective for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.