Effect of mindfulness-based programmes on elite athlete mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
To determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) on the mental health of elite athletes.
Results Summary
MBPs improved mental health outcomes, with large significant pooled effect sizes for reducing symptoms of anxiety and other mental health measures. The study concluded that MBPs are effective but called for higher-quality, adequately powered trials in the future.
Population
Current or former elite athletes
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) | increase | mental health | elite athletes | - | improved | #1 |
mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) | decrease | symptoms of anxiety | elite athletes | - | reducing | #2 |
mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) | decrease | symptoms of depression | elite athletes | - | reducing | #3 |
mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) | increase | sport-specific well-being | elite athletes | - | improving | #4 |
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) on the mental health of elite athletes. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Eight online databases (Embase, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Google Scholar), plus forward and backward searching from included studies and previous systematic reviews. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an MBP against a control, in current or former elite athletes. RESULTS: Of 2386 articles identified, 12 RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, comprising a total of 614 elite athletes (314 MBPs and 300 controls). Overall, MBPs improved mental health, with large significant pooled effect sizes for reducing symptoms of anxiety (hedges CONCLUSION: MBPs improved several mental health outcomes. Given the moderate degree of evidence, high-quality, adequately powered trials are required in the future. These studies should emphasise intervention fidelity, teacher competence and scalability within elite sport. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020176654.