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The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials
Open accessAbstract
In response to questions regarding the scientific basis for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), we evaluated their empirical status by systematically reviewing meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched six databases for effect sizes based on four or more trials that did not combine passive and active controls. Heterogeneity, moderators, tests of publication bias, risk of bias, and adverse effects were also extracted. Representative effect sizes based on the largest number of studies were identified across a wide range of populations, problems, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes (PICOS). A total of 160 effect sizes were reported in 44 meta-analyses ( k = 336 RCTs, N = 30,483 participants). MBIs showed superiority to passive controls across most PICOS ( ds = 0.10–0.89). Effects were typically smaller and less often statistically significant compared with active controls. MBIs were similar or superior to specific active controls and evidence-based treatments. Heterogeneity was typically moderate. Few consistent moderators were found. Results were generally robust to publication bias, although other important sources of bias were identified. Reporting of adverse effects was inconsistent. Statistical power may be lacking in meta-analyses, particularly for comparisons with active controls. Because MBIs show promise across some PICOS, future RCTs and meta-analyses should build on identified strengths and limitations of this literature.
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“Much of the ST literature relies on self-report instruments such as the Self-Transcendence Scale (109) and the Nondual Awareness Dimensional Assessment (38), which—like other contemplative measures—face issues of construct overlap and response bias (110).”
From The therapeutic role of self-transcendence in moral injury recovery: theory, mechanisms, and clinical implications (2026) · cites this paper as [110]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Mindfulness meditation (MM) is one individual‐level solution that has shown promise for reducing burnout in clinicians, but has not been studied in GCs.”
From The effects of mindfulness meditation on burnout in clinical genetic counselors: A three-arm randomized controlled trial (2026) · cites this paper as Goldberg et al., 2022
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Meditation trials with passive controls can overestimate effect sizes by 30%–40% compared to those with active controls (Goldberg et al., 2022; Goyal et al., 2014).”
From The effects of mindfulness meditation on burnout in clinical genetic counselors: A three-arm randomized controlled trial (2026) · cites this paper as Goldberg et al., 2022
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
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“A 2022 systematic review found mindfulness superior to active controls for stress in healthcare providers (Cascales‐Pérez et al., 2021; Goldberg et al., 2022).”
From The effects of mindfulness meditation on burnout in clinical genetic counselors: A three-arm randomized controlled trial (2026) · cites this paper as Goldberg et al., 2022
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
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“These findings need to be interpreted with caution, given that they arise from secondary analyses, and because it has been well demonstrated that comparisons to a passive control can both overestimate effect sizes and identify effectiveness erroneously (Davidson & Kaszniak, 2015; Goldberg et al., 2022; Kinser & Robins, 2013).”
From The effects of mindfulness meditation on burnout in clinical genetic counselors: A three-arm randomized controlled trial (2026) · cites this paper as Goldberg et al., 2022
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“Meta-analyses involving hundreds of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that meditation training can decrease psychological symptoms (eg, depression, anxiety, stress) and increase aspects of well-being and positive functioning (eg, meaning in life, compassion, prosocial behavior) [6-15].”
From Testing the efficacy of a multicomponent, self-guided, smartphone-based meditation app: Three-armed randomized controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [15]
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“MBIs have demonstrated efficacy in addressing comorbid conditions, such as depressive symptoms and stress, which are frequently associated with SUD [24, 25].”
From The feasibility of mindfulness‐based relapse prevention for adults with substance use disorders (illicit drugs) in a Chinese population: A pilot randomized controlled trial. (2026) · cites this paper as [24]
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“This is consistent with previous literature whereby mindfulness-based interventions were slightly superior to other active controls in adults when analysing a variety of health outcomes, including stress (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
From Effectiveness of stress management interventions to change cortisol levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as Goldberg et al., 2022
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“and larger magnitude of effects specific to mindfulness interventions were when compared to passive controls, with smaller, yet still significant effects when compared to some active controls (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
From Effectiveness of stress management interventions to change cortisol levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as Goldberg et al., 2022
In the citing paper
“there is overwhelming evidence that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) might be helpful for psychological and to a lesser extent physical health in clinical5,6 and non-clinical populations7,8.”
From A common factors perspective on mindfulness-based interventions (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
In the citing paper
“MBIs might reduce psychosomatic outcomes like pain and sleep relative to no treatment, although evidence is less robust particularly for sleep than that for psychological symptoms, with fewer studies available and confidence intervals that include zero5.”
From A common factors perspective on mindfulness-based interventions (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
In the citing paper
“There is some evidence that MBIs slightly outperform specific active controls (other interventions intended to be therapeutic, such as physical exercise or relaxation training54) on psychiatric symptoms6 but not physical health conditions5.”
From A common factors perspective on mindfulness-based interventions (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
In the citing paper
“Differences between MBIs and other therapies are small when compared directly in RCTs (standardized mean difference ≈ ≤ 0.20, limited relative efficacy5).”
From A common factors perspective on mindfulness-based interventions (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
In the citing paper
“If control conditions are interpreted as a homogeneous group, interventions compared with stronger control conditions may be perceived as less effective18,26.”
From Selecting and describing control conditions in mobile health randomized controlled trials: a proposed typology (2023) · cites this paper as [26]
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Items 101–200 of 525
Meditation for adults with non-specific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Soares, L. O., Ferreira, G. E., Costa, L. O. P., Nogueira, L. A. C., Meziat‐Filho, N., & dos Reis, F. J. J. (2021) · Scandinavian Journal of Pain · doi:10.1515/sjpain-2021-0096 · Cited by 14
Xie, Q., Manova, V., & Khoury, B. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03549-2 · Cited by 15
“, mental health, physical health, relational outcomes) across different populations (Carpenter et al., 2019; Creswell et al., 2019; Goldberg et al., 2021; Khoury et al., 2013; Quinn-Nilas, 2020).”
BackgroundBaumann, I., Gruber, E., Vonderlin, E., Bents, H., Heidenreich, T., Kalmar, J., & Mander, J. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01943-2 · Cited by 13
Williams, J., Baer, R. A., Batchelor, M., Crane, R. S., Cullen, C., Wilde, K. D., Fennell, M. J. V., Kantor, L. S., Kirby, J., Ma, S. H., et al. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01929-0 · Cited by 16
Zangri, R. M., Andreu, C. I., Nieto, I., González-Garzón, A. M., & Vázquez, C. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104957 · Cited by 18
“These small or null results contrast with the efficacy of MBI interventions to significantly reduce psychological distress both in healthy and unhealthy individuals (e.g., Galante et al., 2021; Goldberg et al., 2018, 2021).”
ResultBossert, L., Arzberger, K., Dorok, F., Kern, J., Stickler, C., Wunderlich, M., & Tran, U. S. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02075-x · Cited by 15
App‐based mindfulness training supported eudaimonic wellbeing during the COVID19 pandemic
de Zavala, A. G., Keenan, O., Ziegler, M. D., Ciesielski, P., Wahl, J. E., & Mazurkiewicz, M. (2023) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12468 · Cited by 16
Psychological distance intervention reminders reduce alcohol consumption frequency in daily life
Jovanova, M., Cosme, D., Doré, B., Kang, Y., Stanoi, O. A., Cooper, N., Helion, C., Lomax, S., McGowan, A. L., Boyd, Z. M., et al. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-38478-y · Cited by 14
Mak, W. W. S., Tong, A. C. Y., Fu, A. C. M., Leung, I. W. Y., Jung, O. H. C., Watkins, E. R., & Lui, W. W. S. (2023) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12512 · Cited by 13
Mindful-Gratitude Practice Reduces Prejudice at High Levels of Collective Narcissism
de Zavala, A. G., Keenan, O., Ziegler, M. D., Mazurkiewicz, M., Nalberczak‐Skóra, M., Ciesielski, P., Wahl, J. E., & Sedikides, C. (2024) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/09567976231220902 · Cited by 18
Konrad, A. C., Engert, V., Albrecht, R., Dobel, C., Döring, N. M., Haueisen, J., Klimecki, O., Sandbothe, M., & Kanske, P. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-34737-0 · Cited by 17
Luangapichart, P., Saisavoey, N., & Viravan, N. (2022) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare10122532 · Cited by 14
“To date, which factors moderate the effects of MBIs remains unclear [39].”
BackgroundBowles, N. I., & Van Dam, N. T. (2025) · Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.70063 · Cited by 14
“Despite this reduction, meta-analysis indicates that MBPs yield standardized mean differences of 0.56 for anxiety, 0.53 for depression, 0.45 for distress, and 0.33 for well-being (Galante et al., 2021).”
InfluentialA meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness meditation training on self-reported interoception
Treves, I. N., Chen, Y., Wilson, C. L., Verdonk, C., Qinaʻau, J., Pustejovsky, J. E., Goldberg, S. B., Mehling, W. E., Schuman‐Olivier, Z., & Khalsa, S. S. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-22661-4 · Cited by 21
Self-citationBermudo-Gallaguet, A., Ariza, M., Dacosta‐Aguayo, R., Agudelo, D., Camins-Vila, N., Boldo, M., Carrera, Ò., Vidal, S., Ferrer-Uris, B., Busquets, A., et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.936077 · Cited by 16
A mindful approach to controlling intrusive thoughts
Ashton, S. M., Sambeth, A., & Quaedflieg, C. W. E. M. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-37447-9 · Cited by 16
Schlosser, M., Demnitz‐King, H., Barnhofer, T., Collette, F., Gonneaud, J., Chételat, G., Jessen, F., Kliegel, M., Klimecki, O., Antoine Lutz, A., et al. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0295175 · Cited by 15
Modrego‐Alarcón, M., Morillo, H., Campos, D., Navarro-Gil, M. T., Montero‐Marín, J., Monreal‐Bartolomé, A., García‐Campayo, J., & del Hoyo, Y. L. (2023) · Journal of Computing in Higher Education · doi:10.1007/s12528-023-09393-y · Cited by 15
“Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) have proven to be effective for improving mental health in both clinical and non-clinical adult populations (Demarzo et al., 2015; Goldberg et al., 2022; Gotink et al., 2015; McClintock et al., 2019).”
Alleviating Stress in Parkinson’s Disease: Symptomatic Treatment, Disease Modification, or Both?
Goltz, F., van der Heide, A., & Helmich, R. C. G. (2024) · Journal of Parkinson s Disease · doi:10.3233/jpd-230211 · Cited by 14
Riordan, K. M., Simonsson, O., Frye, C. J., Vack, N. J., Sachs, J., Fitch, D., Goldman, R. I., Chiang, E. S., Dahl, C. J., Davidson, R. J., et al. (2024) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/cou0000725 · Cited by 14
Self-citationSusman, E. S., Chen, S., Kring, A. M., & Harvey, A. G. (2024) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2024.104498 · Cited by 16
“…0.01]) fell within or above the range reported in meta-analyses of mindfulness-based interventions and self-compassion interventions — many of which require considerably more time and resources (see Table S10; Ferrari et al., 2019; Goldberg et al., 2022; Golden et al., 2021; Held & Owens, 2015).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialFrank, H. E., Albanese, A. M., Sun, S., Saadeh, F. B., Johnson, B. T., Elwy, A. R., & Loucks, E. B. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02366-x · Cited by 13
“…meditating in the United States (US) recently doubled (Nahin et al., 2024) coupled with an evidence base favoring MBSR (de Vibe et al., 2017; Goldberg et al., 2022; Goyal et al., 2014a), there is increasing demand from health insurers, clinicians, and policymakers for health insurance…”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationMalipeddi, S., Sasidharan, A., Ravindra, P. N., Mehrotra, S., John, J. P., & Kutty, B. M. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02466-8 · Cited by 12
“…(Fucci et al., 2018; Slagter et al., 2007), cognition (Braboszcz et al., 2013, 2017; Lutz et al., 2009), emotional regulation (Doll et al., 2016; Kral et al., 2018), and physical and mental well-being (Goldberg et al., 2022; Levine et al., 2017; Muehsam et al., 2017; Sedlmeier et al., 2012).”
Mindfulness Interventions in Older Adults for Mental Health and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis
Verhaeghen, P., Aikman, S. N., & Mirabito, G. (2024) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbae205 · Cited by 21
Lannon-Boran, C., Hannigan, C., Power, J. M., Lambert, J., & Kelly, M. E. (2023) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2023.2228255 · Cited by 16
“In MBSR and MBCT, participants are taught techniques such as sitting meditation, body scan, mindful movement, and hatha yoga, generally over a period of eight weeks (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
MethodAre Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Related to Peace of Mind? The Mediating Role of Nonattachment
Xie, Q. (2023) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.1177/00332941231198511 · Cited by 15
Giaume, L., Jimenez, A., Kedzierewicz, R., Jost, D., Pery, M., Trouvé, J., Burlaton, G., Travers, S., Prunet, B., & Trousselard, M. (2023) · Prehospital Emergency Care · doi:10.1080/10903127.2023.2258204 · Cited by 14
“The literature underlines the need to conduct large-scale randomized controlled trials to measure the effects of mind-fulness interventions to increase methodological rigor, reduce bias, and limit the effects of nonspecific factors (e.g., time) (44, 49).”
BackgroundLarsen, J. K., Hollands, G. J., Garland, E. L., Evers, A. W. M., & Wiers, R. W. H. J. (2023) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105408 · Cited by 12
Joss, D., Teicher, M. H., & Lazar, S. W. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02439-x · Cited by 14
Consumer-Grade Neurofeedback With Mindfulness Meditation: Meta-Analysis
Treves, I. N., Bajwa, Z., Greene, K. D., Bloom, P. A., Kim, N., Wool, E., Goldberg, S. B., Whitfield, S., & Auerbach, R. P. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/68204 · Cited by 15
“Mindfulness meditation is known to have benefits for psychological distress, cognitive functioning, and physiological health [3,67-69], and we assessed whether mbNF had significantly more positive outcomes in these domains.”
Self-citationDo contemplative practices make us more moral?
Berryman, K., Lazar, S. W., & Hohwy, J. (2023) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2023.07.005 · Cited by 17
Chan, R. M. K., Mak, W. W. S., & Yu, B. C. L. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20085470 · Cited by 12
“Research has found that mindfulness-based programs improve physical and mental health [1], and such improvements have been observed for a range of psychological and medical conditions [2].”
BackgroundSkovbjerg, S., Sumbundu, A. D., Kolls, M., Kjærbye‐Thygesen, A., & Fjorback, L. O. (2023) · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04194-3 · Cited by 13
Malipeddi, S., Mehrotra, S., John, J. P., & Kutty, B. M. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1280859 · Cited by 10
Half a Century of Research for Mind–Body Interventions: A Scientometric Analysis
Sabé, M., Chen, C., Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Smith, L., Stubbs, B., Rosenbaum, S., Schuch, F. B., Prada, P., Saccaro, L. F., et al. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02592-x · Cited by 11
“…with online Mindfulness course during the COVID-19 pandemic (González-García et al., 2021; Kubo et al., 2021; Zhu et al., 2021), meta-analyses (Goldberg et al., 2022; Sommers-Spi-jkerman et al., 2021; Tran et al., 2022), and innovant trials such as for adolescents with autism spectrum…”
Kranenburg, L. W., Gillis, J., Mayer, B., & Hoogendijk, W. J. G. (2021) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/32123 · Cited by 12
Drüge, M., Guthardt, L., Haller, E., Michalak, J., & Apolinário-Hagen, J. (2024) · Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology · doi:10.1007/978-981-97-4402-2_11 · Cited by 11
Zuccolo, P. F., Brunoni, A. R., Borja, T., Matijasevich, A., Polanczyk, G. V., & Fatori, D. (2024) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000541311 · Cited by 11
López-Ramón, M. F., Campos, V. M., Alonso-Esteban, Y., Navarro‐Pardo, E., & Marín, F. A. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02234-0 · Cited by 14
“…research area is not only the great MBI approach diversity that makes it difficult to address one unique mindfulness construct operationalization (e.g., commented extensively in Goldberg et al., 2022) but also the existence of different ways to build the appraisal instruments used to measure it.”
Tschenett, H., Vafai-Tabrizi, F., Zwick, R. H., Valipour, A., Funk, G., & Nater, U. M. (2025) · Respiratory Research · doi:10.1186/s12931-025-03243-4 · Cited by 13
“They are effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-reported stress [15], and biological stress markers [16], and in improving physical health outcomes in somatic conditions [17].”
InfluentialHadash, Y., Dar, O., Amir, I., Braver, T. S., & Bernstein, A. (2026) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-012925-030843 · Cited by 10
Tse, B. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.908503 · Cited by 11
Sifat, M. S., Tasnim, N., Stoebenau, K., & Green, K. M. (2022) · International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1080/17482631.2022.2113015 · Cited by 14
Palitsky, R., Kaplan, D. M., Brener, S. A., Mascaro, J. S., Mehl, M. R., & Sullivan, D. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-02010-6 · Cited by 10
Galluzzi, S., Lanfredi, M., Moretti, D. V., Rossi, R., Meloni, S., Tomasoni, E., Frisoni, G. B., Chiesa, A., & Pievani, M. (2024) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-024-04766-z · Cited by 14
“In recent years, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained recognition as a viable strategy for enhancing mental health across diverse populations [2].”
BackgroundStudy protocol: Social Health Impact of Network Effects (SHINE) StudyPreprint
Cosme, D., Kang, Y., Tartak, J. C., Ahn, J., Corbani, F. E., Cooper, N., Doré, B., He, X., Helion, C., Jovanova, M., et al. (2022) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/cj2nx · Cited by 9
Badaghi, N., van Kruijsbergen, M., Prins, J., Kelders, S., Cillessen, L., Compen, F., Donders, R., Kwakkenbos, L., & Speckens, A. (2023) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01052-2 · Cited by 8
“Since their development, however, these interventions have shown beneficial across different domains, and they have been widely implemented for different conditions, including cancer [12].”
BackgroundXie, Q., Dyer, R. L., Lam, S. U., Frye, C. J., Dahl, C. J., Quanbeck, A., Nahum-Shani, I. B., Davidson, R. J., & Goldberg, S. B. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02304-x · Cited by 10
“Meditation-based interventions (MedBIs) have the potential to improve psychological symptoms and enhance well-being (Galante et al., 2014; Goldberg et al., 2022b; Xie et al., 2022).”
Self-citationMindful Eco-Wellness: Steps Toward Personal and Planetary Health
Barrett, B. P., Walters, S., Checovich, M. M., Grabow, M., Middlecamp, C., Wortzel, B., Tetrault, K., Riordan, K. M., & Goldberg, S. B. (2024) · Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health · doi:10.1177/27536130241235922 · Cited by 11
“18 19-21 One of the most widely studied programs, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), includes 8 weekly group visits and teaches mindfulness meditation practices.”
BackgroundSelf-citationBlanke, E. S., Krämer, S., Loy, L. S., Liebmann, C., Nestler, S., & Kunzmann, U. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02529-4 · Cited by 9
Avest, M. M. T., Huijbers, M. J., Horjus, C. S., Römkens, T. E. H., Witteman, E. M., van Dop, W. A., Dresler, M., Donders, A. R. T., Dijkstra, G. D. H., Nissen, L. H. C., et al. (2025) · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · doi:10.1093/ibd/izaf116 · Cited by 9
“8 During MBIs, individuals learn to be more aware of present moment experiences without judgment, thereby fostering recognition of unhelpful patterns in thoughts and behavior.”
Gao, L., Zhang, Y., Chen, H., Li, X., Li, W., & Chen, Y. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03175-y · Cited by 10
“Second, given that presence can be used as a bridge between digital technology use and the human-nature connection, it would be highly beneficial if individuals were to increase their presence through mindfulness-based interventions (Goldberg et al., 2021).”
BackgroundZhang, D., & Shen, J. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1072548 · Cited by 18
“The positive role of mindfulness in mental health has garnered widespread attention and empirical support during the COVID-19 pandemic (Demirdogen et al., 2022; Goldberg et al., 2022).”
BackgroundA Network Investigation of Core Mindfulness Processes
Sala, M., Aslan, M., Gueorguieva, R. V., Schupak, M., & Garrison, K. A. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02109-4 · Cited by 10
Kuehner, C., Schricker, I. F., Nayman, S., Reinhard, I., Zamoscik, V., Kirsch, P., & Huffziger, S. (2023) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2023.04.002 · Cited by 9
Pandya, S. P. (2025) · Art Therapy · doi:10.1080/07421656.2024.2424042 · Cited by 9
“Practice variables often mediate the connection between independent participant socio-demographic characteristics and improvements in outcomes such as wellbeing, affect balance, and cognitive enhancements due to participation in mindfulness programs (Goldberg et al., 2022; Parsons et al., 2020).”
Meditation in Qualitative Research for Bracketing and Beyond
Grajzel, K. (2025) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/16094069241312826 · Cited by 8
“Others also found support for the positive physical, cognitive, and emotional bene fi ts of meditation (Eberth & Sedlmeier, 2012; Goldberg et al., 2022; Sedlmeier et al., 2012; Sharma, 2015).”
Li, C. E., Wang, K. L., Treves, I. N., Bungert, L., Gabrieli, J. D. E., & Rozenkrantz, L. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02558-z · Cited by 8
“…review of 44 meta-analyses found that MBIs were effective in reducing stress in a variety of populations, and were superior to active controls (e.g., psychoeducation) but not to “specific active controls” (e.g., therapies specifically known to reduce stress and anxiety) (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
The Link between Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: A Meta-Analysis
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2025) · International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology · doi:10.1007/s41042-025-00228-y · Cited by 15
“Both self-compassion and mindfulness are connected to better mental health and greater well-being (Goldberg et al., 2022; Neff, 2023), however, they have somewhat different associations with aspects of mental health and well-being.”
Beyond serenity: Adverse effects of meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice
Matko, K., & Dam, N. T. V. (2025) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2025.102197 · Cited by 12
Maoz, L. B., Lavy, S., & Berkovich‐Ohana, A. (2023) · Child & Family Social Work · doi:10.1111/cfs.13013 · Cited by 8
Coholic, D. A., Eys, M., Shaw, K., & Rienguette, M. (2023) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440231192111 · Cited by 8
“There is a robust research literature (Baminiwatta & Solangaarachchi, 2021) showing the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) for adults with a variety of challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
BackgroundBadaghi, N., van Kruijsbergen, M., Speckens, A. E. M., Vilé, J., Prins, J. B., Kelders, S. M., & Kwakkenbos, L. (2024) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/52338 · Cited by 9
“Different forms of MBIs (eg, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy [MBCT]) have been used across conditions [5], including cancer [6-8], and have been shown to have beneficial effects on psychological distress, quality of life, and well-being [5].”
BackgroundJuarez-Reyes, M., Martinez, E., Xiao, L., & Rosas, L. G. (2024) · Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health · doi:10.1177/27536130241274240 · Cited by 8
Galante, J., Friedrich, C., Dalgleish, T., White, I. R., & Jones, P. B. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058976 · Cited by 8
MacDonald, H. Z. (2023) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2022.2155053 · Cited by 8
“Substantial research has indicated that both resilience, 82 and mindfulness 30,83–86 can be cultivated through training and practice, signifying that these modifiable factors may be important intervention targets in this population.”
Vo, D. X., Tabi, K., Bhullar, M., Johnson, A., Locke, J. J., Wang, S., Stewart, S. E., & Marshall, S. K. (2024) · International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health · doi:10.1515/ijamh-2023-0112 · Cited by 11
“Future studies are recommended to include larger sample sizes and more advanced measures [63], including second-person reports from other members in the adolescents ’ life, such as parents, guardians, healthcare providers, etc., as well as nonself-report measures, including behavioral and…”
BackgroundBolzenkötter, T., Bürkner, P., Zetsche, U., & Schulze, L. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02350-5 · Cited by 8
“Similarly, meta-analytic results of MBIs show a similar pattern: MBIs are primarily superior when compared to passive control conditions, but results are mixed when the control conditions are active (Goldberg et al., 2022; Mao et al., 2023).”
Almenräder, F., Heßmann, G., Voracek, M., & Tran, U. S. (2024) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1177/08902070241289160 · Cited by 9
“A thereby implied common-factors perspective has recently also been advanced for MBIs (Goldberg, 2022).”
Social mindfulness and the SoMi Paradigm: A decade of research on low-cost prosociality
Doesum, N. J. V., Lange, P. A. M. V., Mischkowski, D., & van Dijk, E. (2025) · European Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/10463283.2025.2457918 · Cited by 8
Liu, C., Lin, L.-J., Zhang, K., & Chiou, W. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15070909 · Cited by 15
“Completion rates for these entries were analyzed as an additional measure of adherence (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
Sun, S., Nardi, W. R., Murphy, M., Scott, T., Saadeh, F. B., Roy, A., & Brewer, J. A. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/46310 · Cited by 11
“Although our mindful eating program does not specifically target mental health symptoms, mindfulness as a skill has been shown to improve depressive and anxiety symptoms [44] and its effect was also observed among participants from qualitative findings.”
Self-citationMuñoz-Mireles, G., Mantzios, M., Schellinger, J. N., Messiah, S. E., & Marroquín, E. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02236-y · Cited by 8
“While a formal meditation practice can benefit health and well-being (Goldberg et al., 2022), it requires additional discipline and time investment (Kabat-Zinn, 2003).”
Juozelskyte, G., & Catling, J. C. (2024) · Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1080/21642850.2024.2305723 · Cited by 7
ENIGMA-Meditation: Worldwide Consortium for Neuroscientific Investigations of Meditation Practices
Ganesan, S., Barrios, F. A., Batta, I., Bauer, C. C. C., Braver, T. S., Brewer, J. A., Brown, K. W., Cahn, B. R., Cain, J. A., Calhoun, V. D., et al. (2024) · Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.10.015 · Cited by 7
Self-citationGiraud, L., Frimousse, S., & Bihan, Y. L. (2022) · Revue de gestion des ressources humaines · doi:10.3917/grhu.124.0003 · Cited by 6
Beblo, T., Haehnel, K., Michalak, J., Iffland, B., & Drießen, M. (2024) · Nordic Psychology · doi:10.1080/19012276.2024.2303432 · Cited by 7
Roychowdhury, D. (2021) · Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ajsep.2021.09.004 · Cited by 8
“One such approach that has a proven track record of providng psychophysiological benefits is mindfulness (e.g., An et al., 2019 ; oldberg et al., 2021 ; Khoury et al., 2013 ; Pascoe et al., 2021 ).”
BackgroundJugendliches Alkoholkonsumverhalten während der COVID-19-Pandemie und die Bedeutung von Achtsamkeit
Prignitz, M., Guldner, S., Nees, F., & Konsortium, I.-M. (2021) · SUCHT - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis / Journal of Addiction Research and Practice · doi:10.1024/0939-5911/a000734 · Cited by 7
Positive Psychology and Buddhism
Segall, S. Z., & Kristeller, J. L. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_14 · Cited by 12
Godara, M., & Singer, T. (2024) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm14050493 · Cited by 6
“However, despite promising findings, small-to-medium effect sizes indicate heterogeneity in responses to these interventions, suggesting that perhaps some individuals might benefit more than others [9–11].”
BackgroundEngagement With Meditation Apps: Cross-Sectional Survey of Use and Associations
Adams, J., Davies, J. N., Wattanatakulchat, P., Galante, J., Miller, F., D’Alfonso, S., & Dam, N. T. V. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/71960 · Cited by 4
Yadav, M., Neate, S. L., Hassed, C. S., Chambers, R., Connaughton, S., & Nag, N. (2022) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/37406 · Cited by 7
“Meta-analyses indicate that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) facilitate healthy lifestyle change [3]; reduce stress, depression, and anxiety; and improve resilience, cognitive function, sleep, and general well-being [13].”
Backgroundvan der Heide, A., Goltz, F., de Vries, N. M., Bloem, B. R., Speckens, A. E. M., & Helmich, R. C. G. (2024) · BMC Neurology · doi:10.1186/s12883-024-03736-7 · Cited by 7
Liu, S., Fang, H., Zou, L., Li, Q., Wang, H., & Han, Z. R. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02416-4 · Cited by 6
“Mindfulness-based interventions have long been considered effective in promoting well-being and alleviating suffering (Goldberg et al., 2022).”
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Tourette Syndrome
Reese, H. E., Brown, W. A., & Rooks, J. D. (2024) · Psychiatric Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.psc.2024.08.009 · Cited by 6
Puhlmann, L. M. C., Vrtička, P., Linz, R., Valk, S. L., Papassotiriou, I., Chrousos, G. P., Engert, V., & Singer, T. (2024) · Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science · doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100414 · Cited by 7
Mylius, M., Guendelman, S., Iliopoulos, F., Gallese, V., & Kaltwasser, L. (2024) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.14712 · Cited by 6
Jiwani, Z., Goldberg, S. B., Stroud, J., Young, J., Curtin, J., Dunne, J. D., Simonsson, O., Webb, C. A., Carhart-Harris, R., & Schlosser, M. (2025) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0310160 · Cited by 6
Self-citationJoss, D. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02585-w · Cited by 7
“A meta-analysis demonstrated that MBIs are particularly effective for psychiatric disorders, smoking cessation, and depression (Goldberg et al., 2022), all of which are also conditions that ACE survivors are at high risk for (Hughes et al., 2017).”
Goldberg, S. B., Flook, L., Hirshberg, M. J., Davidson, R. J., & Schaefer, S. M. (2021) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2021.1878113 · Cited by 6
Self-citationDenkova, E., Barry, J., Zanesco, A. P., Rooks, J. D., Rogers, S. L., & Jha, A. P. (2023) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2023.2242301 · Cited by 6
“This uncertainty is attributed to the small number of randomized controlled trials conducted on this topic, heterogeneity in the measures investigated, and variability of findings across studies (Goldberg et al. 2022).”
BackgroundSchlosser, M., Klimecki, O., Collette, F., Gonneaud, J., Kliegel, M., Marchant, N. L., Chételat, G., & Antoine Lutz, A. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0294753 · Cited by 6
“Another noteworthy lacuna is the striking lack of research on the effects of meditation training in ageing populations (see [31]).”
BackgroundThe acute effect of mindfulness-based regulation on neural indices of cue-induced craving in smokers
Zheng, M., Hong, T., Zhou, H., Garland, E. L., & Hu, Y. (2024) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108134 · Cited by 7
Pirbaglou, M., El Morr, C., Ahmad, F., & Ritvo, P. (2025) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/65853 · Cited by 6
“Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) integrate mind-fulness principles and mindfulness meditation practice in established psychotherapies (eg, cognitive behavioral therapies), and other health interventions (eg, stress reduction, mindful eating, and mindful physical activity) [1-9].”
InfluentialKastner, C. T. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1324329 · Cited by 5
Development and Initial Validation of the State Four Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
Raynes, S., & Dobkins, K. R. (2025) · Assessment · doi:10.1177/10731911251330092 · Cited by 5
Jong, M. A.-D., Geurts, D. E. M., Spinhoven, P., Ruhé, H. G., & Speckens, A. E. M. (2025) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1007/s11606-025-09529-z · Cited by 7
Narcissism and mindfulness: A preregistered systematic review and three-level meta-analysis
Ganster, F. M., Schwartz, K., Voracek, M., & Tran, U. S. (2025) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2025.113299 · Cited by 8
Bermudo-Gallaguet, A., Ariza, M., Agudelo, D., Camins-Vila, N., Boldo, M., Ferrer-Uris, B., Busquets, A., Pera, G., Cáceres, C. M., Gomis, M., et al. (2025) · Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2025.102008 · Cited by 5
“This observation aligns with fi ndings from a recent systematic review of 44 meta-analyses, which indicated that mindfulness interventions often yield more minor, less signi fi cant effects relative to active controls rather than passive ones [49].”
Metadata
- Authors
- Goldberg, S. B., Riordan, K. M., Sun, S., & Davidson, R. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Brown University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Goldberg, Simon B.
- Venue
- Perspectives on Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-02-16
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 108-130
- ISSN
- 1745-6916 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-6924
- PMC
- PMC8364929
- OpenAlex
- W3132572579
- Cited by
- 520
- References
- 111
- Citations by year
- 2026: 117 · 2025: 120 · 2024: 102 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 26
- FWCI
- 9.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Perspectives on Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH43454, T32MH078788)
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (K23AT010879, P01AT004952)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- mindfulness-based interventions, effect size, passive control, active control, evidence-based treatment, publication bias, risk of bias, adverse effects, statistical power, heterogeneity, moderators
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Bias, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Mindfulness
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