A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness-based interventions for patients with coronary heart disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life in adults with coronary heart disease.
Results Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced depression and stress compared to inactive controls but showed no significant effects on anxiety, blood pressure, or most cardiovascular risk factors. Effects on quality of life were mixed, with improvements in psychological and social domains noted in one study.
Population
Adults with coronary heart disease
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | depression | patients with coronary heart disease | SMD -0.72, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.21, p < .01 | significantly reduced | #1 |
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | stress | patients with coronary heart disease | SMD -0.67, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.34, p < .01 | significantly reduced | #2 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | anxiety | patients with coronary heart disease | no significant change | not | #3 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | blood pressure | patients with coronary heart disease | no significant change | not | #4 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | psychological outcomes | patients with coronary heart disease | no significant change | no significant psychological effects | #5 |
mindfulness-based interventions | increase | psychological and social domains of generic quality of life | patients with coronary heart disease | - | significantly improved | #6 |
mindfulness-based interventions | neutral | other cardiovascular risk factors | patients with coronary heart disease | - | effects on other cardiovascular risk factors were inconclusive | #7 |
mindfulness-based interventions | neutral | cardiovascular risk factors | patients with coronary heart disease | - | effects on cardiovascular risk factors are inconclusive | #8 |
mindfulness-based interventions | neutral | quality of life | patients with coronary heart disease | - | effects on quality of life are inconclusive | #9 |
AIMS: To assess the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN: A systematic review with meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Eight mainstream databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Ovid Emcare, PsycInfo, CINAHL complete, Web of Science, CENTRAL and PubMed, were searched from January 1979-March 2020. REVIEW METHODS: Randomized controlled trials that evaluated mindfulness-based interventions on psychological outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life in adults with coronary heart disease were considered. We conducted meta-analyses using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Nine studies involving 644 participants were included. Compared with inactive controls (e.g. usual care), mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced depression (SMD -0.72, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.21, p < .01) and stress (SMD -0.67, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.34, p < .01), but not anxiety and blood pressure. There were no significant psychological effects compared with active controls (e.g. other psychological interventions). In one of three studies that assessed generic quality of life, mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved psychological and social domains compared with active control. The intervention effects on other cardiovascular risk factors were inconclusive given that only one study assessed each outcome with non-significant findings. Subgroup analyses suggest that intervention type and participants' depression and anxiety status may influence intervention effects. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based interventions may benefit patients with coronary heart disease in reducing depression and stress, but the effects on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life are inconclusive. IMPACT: This review offers preliminary evidence for the potential of mindfulness-based interventions as an effective complementary approach to addressing psychological distress among people with coronary heart disease. Given the limitations in current studies, further rigorously designed and well-reported research is necessary to give robust evidence. Studies exploring the intervention effects on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life are warranted to remedy the research and knowledge gap.