From practice to research
Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction program, begun in the late 1970s, brought meditation into medical settings. Psychologists have since studied mindfulness both as a trained skill and as a trait on which people differ, using questionnaires as well as intervention studies.
What studies have found
A major review of randomised trials found moderate evidence that meditation programs can improve anxiety, depression and pain compared with some control conditions. The strength of evidence varies across outcomes, and programs are not consistently better than other active treatments such as exercise or therapy.
Reasons for caution
Researchers have warned that mindfulness is defined in inconsistent ways, that many trials are small, and that studies often lack strong control groups. Adverse experiences during intensive meditation are also under-reported. Anyone with a mental health condition should consider speaking with a qualified professional before relying on it.
Further reading
- Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 822-848.
- Goyal, M., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174, 357-368.
- Van Dam, N. T., et al. (2018). Mind the hype: A critical evaluation and prescriptive agenda for research on mindfulness and meditation. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13, 36-61.