Compared to other feel-good practices such as exercise, mindfulness fares neither better nor worse.
Mindfulness is “a state of active, open attention to the present. This state involves observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.” Mindfulness works, but not for all. Today we look at a meta-analysis of randomized trials looking at the effectiveness of mindfulness.
It CAN lead to reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress. Researchers at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) reminds us that: 1) mindfulness can increase wellbeing in most (but not all) non-clinical settings, and 2) mindfulness may not provide more benefits than other practices such as physical activity. The popularity of mindfulness is rising, in part, to reduce stress levels and enhance wellbeing.
The results of randomized clinical trials conducted throughout the world have been mixed when it comes to improvements in health and wellbeing. In this context, researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge led a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the available research.
Mindfulness works, but not for all
The research team used data from 136 clinical trials that included 11,605 participants. The subjects came from 29 countries, with 77 percent being women. Here are the findings:
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