The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health among university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionWe aimed to estimate the effect of mindfulness therapy on mental health.MethodsTwo researchers searched 12 databases to identify relevant trials that were published from 1 January 2018 to 1 May 2023. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the effect of mindfulness therapy on depression, which was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS); anxiety, which was measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), PROMIS, and DASS, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); stress, which was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), DASS, and GAD-7; mindfulness, which was measured by the GAD-7, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Short Form-12 Mental Component Score (SF-12 MCS) and Short Form-12 Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS); and sleep quality, which was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). After screening studies based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1,824 participants were ultimately included.ResultsAll these studies demonstrated positive effects of mindfulness therapy on depression (SMD = −0.33, 95% CI: [−0.44, −0.22], p < 0.00001, I2 = 29%), anxiety (SMD = −0.35, 95% CI: [−0.46, −0.25], p < 0.00001, I2 = 40%), stress (SMD = −0.39, 95% CI: [−0.48, −0.29], p < 0.00001, I2 = 69%) and sleep quality scores (SMD = −0.81, 95% CI: [−1.54, −0.09], p = 0.03, I2 = 0%). However, there was no significant difference in mindfulness (SMD = −0.12, 95% CI: [−0.36, −0.12], p = 0.34, I2 = 34%) between the mindfulness therapy group and the control group.DiscussionIn future studies, it is necessary to consider the investigation on whether the strategies of improving the mindfulness therapy in adherence and fidelity can work on the improvement of the outcomes in mental health.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier [CRD42023469301].

The mental health of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Beneficial effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction

“…Some previous studies do not confirm our results and did not report significant effects of MBSR on increasing mindfulness [ 20 , 21 ]. Although the disparity in findings may be attributed to factors such as sample size, tools used, duration of the intervention, or the characteristics of the population in which the intervention was conducted, the significant aspect is that the effectiveness of MBSR in our study related to a comprehensive and holistic approach.…”

“…However in a study by Shabani, cognitive therapy based on mindfulness did not have a significant effect on perfectionism, and the intervention based on mindfulness did not show any difference compared to other interventions on the rumination [ 20 ]. In another study by Zuo et al, the mindfulness intervention did not have a significant impact on the mindfulness levels of the intervention group [ 21 ].…”