Published research has repeatedly shown that meditation, in general, and MBSR, in particular, can be a powerful adjunct to the conventional medical treatment of many conditions.  The Beginnings of MBSR Research is a very brief video giving an overview of the research that began in earnest over 40 years ago at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and a recent article from Mindful Leader, Is MBSR Evidence-Based?, shows how research has accelerated over the last 20 years. Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson's book, Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body, provides a terrific overview of the research to date, indicating both its promise and limitations.

Below are three websites that are regularly updated to show current research:

• Mindfulness Research Monthly - American Mindfulness Research Foundation
• Mindfulness Research - National Institutes of Health
• Scientific Publications & Current Studies - Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, U. of Wisconsin

Following is a detailed Summary of Research Studies evaluating the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions. Included are Meta-Analyses of research studies, as well as summaries of research concerning  Anxiety and Depression,  Cancer,  Chronic Pain,  Diabetes,  Fibromyalgia,  Heart Disease,  Irritable Bowel Syndrome,  Migraine Headache,  Multiple Sclerosis,  Respiratory Disorders,  Smoking Cessation, and Quality of Life.

The last section, Citations for Research Studies, contains links to all the journal publications cited in the summaries (and more).

Meta-Analyses

Summaries of independent randomized controlled trials or research studies, called meta-analyses or systemic reviews, have demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness programs in improving symptom management, mood, and quality of life for people with both physical and psychological health conditions (Alsubaie et al., 2017; Goldberg et al., 2022; Khoury et al., 2013).

Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry (Journal of the American Medical Association) showed definitively through a rigorous randomized, controlled trial that MBSR is as effective as Lexapro (escitalopram) (Hoge, et al., 2023). Further, a meta-analysis of 209 studies demonstrated that Mindfulness-Based Interventions were especially effective for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress (Khoury et al., 2013). MBSR compares well to cognitive based therapy in reducing anxiety symptoms, general worry, social anxiety, and improving sleep (Wharton & Kanas, 2019). Mindfulness-Based Interventions can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in both young and older adults (Reangsing et al 2021; Reangsing et al, 2022). 

Cancer

A 2019 meta-analysis and systematic review of 29 randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in people with cancer reported reductions in psychological distress, including significant impact on anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and pain (Cillessen et al., 2019).  Another meta-analysis and systematic review of 21 randomized controlled trials reported Mindfulness-Based Interventions were associated with reduced fatigue and improved vitality in cancer patients (Johns et al., 2021).   A systematic review of 14 studies on the effect of MBSR in breast cancer survivors (Zhang et al., 2019) reported significant improvements in physiological and cognitive function, fatigue, emotional wellbeing, anxiety, depression, distress and mindfulness.

Chronic Pain

Mindfulness-Based Interventions play a role in improved functioning in clients with chronic pain, including low back pain and migraine headache.  Recent meta-analyses and systematic reviews report improved physical functioning and quality of life and reduced pain intensity and depression symptoms associated with Mindfulness-Based Interventions (Hilton et al., 2017; Khoo et al., 2019). Morone et al (2016) evaluated an 8-week MBSR program compared to health education in 282 participants.  Clients participating in the MBSR program had reduced pain and disability immediately after the program and at 6 months. MSBR is recommended as a non-pharmacologic adjunct in the clinical guidelines for treatment of low back pain (Qaseem et al., 2017).   Two randomized controlled trials demonstrated the potential benefits of MBSR for reduced disability related to migraine headache and improved psychological outcomes and quality of life (Seminowicz et al., 2020; Wells et al., 2021).

Diabetes

A systematic review of 11 randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on physiological and psychological symptoms related to diabetes found mixed results (Noordali et al., 2017).  Four of 7 trials demonstrated improvements in glycemic control (HgA1c) associated with Mindfulness-Based Interventions. All randomized controlled trials that evaluated anxiety demonstrated a reduction in anxiety.  Armani Kian et al (2018) reported improvements in glycemic control and reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms in 30 clients with Type 2 diabetes who participated in an 8-week MBSR program comparted with 30 receiving usual treatment. 

Fibromyalgia

MBSR has been associated with improved symptoms of fibromyalgia and quality of life although long-term persistence of effects was variable (Cash et al., 2015; Haugmark et al; 2019; Lauche et al., 2013; Perez-Aranda et al., 2019a). Perez-Aranda et al. (2019b) evaluated MBSR to be a cost-effective treatment for clients with fibromyalgia in reducing lost productivity and primary care services costs. 

Heart Disease

An analysis of data from 61,267 participants in the 2012 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey compared those who reported a meditation practice to those who did not.  Meditation was associated with a lower prevalence of high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease compared with those who did not meditate (Krittanawong et al., 2020).  The American Heart Association, while noting the variability of current research strength, also identifies the potential of Mindfulness-Based Interventions to contribute to overall cardiac risk reduction and supports it use as an adjunct lifestyle modification (Levine et al, 2017).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Two non-randomized intervention studies demonstrated the potential of MSBR to reduce IBS and related psychological symptoms (Harding et al., 2018; Naliboff et al., 2020).  A randomized controlled trial found clinically significant IBS symptom improvement with MBSR in comparison to a waitlist control group, which persisted to six month follow-up (Zernicke, et al., 2013).

Migraine Headache

One study (Seminowicz et al., 2020) compared MBSR against SMH (Stress Management for Headache) and concluded that MBSR is an effective treatment option for episodic migraine.  A second study (Wells et al., 2021) concluded that while MBSR didn’t improve migraine frequency significantly more than headache education, MBSR improved “disability, quality of life, self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, and depression out to 36 weeks.”

Multiple Sclerosis

Training in mindfulness of movement resulted in people with MS reporting improvement over a broad range of symptoms, including balance (Mills, 2000), emotional regulation (Schirda et al., 2020), and improved cognitive processing speed and working memory (Manglani et al., 2020). 

Respiratory Disorders

A mindfulness–based walking program was associated with greater walking duration and less reported breathing difficulties in a study of 84 older adults with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were randomized to the walking program and usual treatment compared to usual treatment (Lin & Yeh, 2021). Long-term (12-month) improvement in quality of life and reduced stress was associated with an 8 week MBSR program in participants with mild, moderate or severe persistent asthma compared to those receiving an educational intervention (Pbert et al., 2012).

Smoking Cessation

In a meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials involving 474 participants (Oikonomou et al., 2017), mindfulness interventions were associated with greater abstinence rates (25.2%) at four months than usual care (13.6%).  Mindfulness interventions are associated with reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms (Weiss de Souza et al., 2020). 

Quality of Life

MBSR has been associated with improved quality of life in multiple studies and populations including people with cardiovascular disease (Jalali et al., 2019), fibromyalgia (Perez-Aranda et al., 2019a), breast cancer (Zhang et al., 2019), asthma (Pbert et al., 2012), and migraine (Wells et al., 2021).

Meta-Analyses

[ back to Meta-analyses summary ]

Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

Arch, J. J., Ayers, C. R., Baker, A., Almklov, E., Dean, D. J., & Craske, M. G. (2013). Randomized clinical trial of adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction versus group cognitive behavioral therapy for heterogeneous anxiety disorders. Behaviour research and therapy, 51(4-5), 185–196.

Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M., Gould, N. F., Rowland-Seymour, A., Sharma, R., ... & Haythornthwaite, J. A. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine, 174(3), 357-368.

Goldin, P. R., Morrison, A., Jazaieri, H., Brozovich, F., Heimberg, R., & Gross, J. J. (2016). Group CBT versus MBSR for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(5), 427–437.

Hofmann, S. G., & Gómez, A. F. (2017). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 40(4), 739–749.

Hoge, E. A., Bui, E., Goetter, E., Robinaugh, D. J., Ojserkis, R. A., Fresco, D. M., & Simon, N. M. (2015). Change in Decentering Mediates Improvement in Anxiety in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Cognitive therapy and research, 39(2), 228–235.

Hoge, E. A., Bui, E., Marques, L., Metcalf, C. A., Morris, L. K., Robinaugh, D. J., Worthington, J. J., Pollack, M. H., & Simon, N. M. (2013). Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation for generalized anxiety disorder: effects on anxiety and stress reactivity. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 74(8), 786–792.

Simonsson, O., Bazin, O., Fisher, S. D., & Goldberg, S. B. (2021). Effects of an eight-week, online mindfulness program on anxiety and depression in university students during COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Research, 305, 114222. 

[ back to Anxiety, Depression, and Stress summary ]

Cancer

Dutcher, J. M., Boyle, C. C., Eisenberger, N. I., Cole, S. W., & Bower, J. E. (2021). Neural responses to threat and reward and changes in inflammation following a mindfulness intervention. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 125, 105114.

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Chronic Pain

Anheyer, D., Haller, H., Barth, J., Lauche, R., Dobos, G., & Cramer, H. (2017). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Treating Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Annals of internal medicine, 166(11), 799–807.

Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Balderson, B. H., Cook, A. J., Anderson, M. L., Hawkes, R. J., Hansen, K. E., & Turner, J. A. (2016). Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Usual Care on Back Pain and Functional Limitations in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 315(12), 1240–1249.

Doorley, J., Greenberg, J., Stauder, M., & Vranceanu, A. M. (2021). The role of mindfulness and relaxation in improved sleep quality following a mind-body and activity program for chronic pain. Mindfulness, 12(11), 2672–2680.

Veehof, M. M., Trompetter, H. R., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schreurs, K. M. (2016). Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of chronic pain: a meta-analytic review. Cognitive behaviour therapy, 45(1), 5–31.

[ back to Chronic Pain summary ]

Diabetes

[ back to Diabetes summary ]

Fibromyalgia

[ back to Fibromyalgia summary ]

Heart Disease

Kirk, U., & Axelsen, J. L. (2020). Heart rate variability is enhanced during mindfulness practice: A randomized controlled trial involving a 10-day online-based mindfulness intervention. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0243488.

Park, J., Lyles, R. H., & Bauer-Wu, S. (2014). Mindfulness meditation lowers muscle sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in African-American males with chronic kidney disease. American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, 307(1), R93–R101.

Park, S. H., & Han, K. S. (2017). Blood Pressure Response to Meditation and Yoga: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 23(9), 685–695.

[ back to Heart Disease summary ]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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Migraine Headache

[ back to Migraine Headache summary ]

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

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Respiratory Disorders

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Smoking Cessation

Davis, J. M., Goldberg, S. B., Angel, K. S., Silver, R. H., Kragel, E. A., & Lagrew, D. J. (2017). Observational Study on a Mindfulness Training for Smokers within a Smoking Cessation Program. Mindfulness, 8(6), 1698.

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Quality of Life

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