Mindfulness Research

Scientific research demonstrates the promising effects of mindfulness practice on mental and physical health.  There are hundreds of studies available in journals and research databases and only a small number are outlined here. Some study results are considered preliminary as mindfulness measures of greater specificity are currently being developed.

Mars, T and Abbey, H (2010). Mindfulness Meditation Practice as a Healthcare Intervention: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 2, June 2010, 56-66.

This study was completed by analyzing randomized controlled studies that had previously conducted on the effects of mindfulness mediation. Twenty-two studies analyzed a wide range of patient populations: those with an Axis I diagnosis, diagnosed medical conditions and non-clinical populations. Higher quality studies have shown statistically significant results in mitigating psychological stress, depressive recurrence and pain. Improvements in spirituality and positive health measures were also noted especially in regard to self-compassion and quality of life.

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Kuyken W., et al. (2008). Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy to Prevent Relapse in Recurrent Depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 76(6), 966-978.
 

The study design used 2-groups and compared sixty-two adults with those receiving anti-depressant medication (ADM) treatment and sixty-one adults receiving MBCT plus support to taper/discontinue antidepressants. Relapse/recurrence rates over 15-month follow-ups in MBCT were 47%, compared with 60% in the group in anti-depressant medication group. MBCT was more effective than the anti-depressant medication group in reducing residual depressive symptoms and psychiatric co-morbidity and in improving quality of life in the physical and psychological domains. Rates of anti-depressant medication usage in the MBCT group were significantly reduced, and 46 patients (75%) completely discontinued their anti-depressant medications. For patients being treated with ADM for re-occurring depressive episodes, MBCT may provide an alternative approach for relapse prevention.

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Kim, B., et al. (2010). Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder.  Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Vol 24(6), 590-595.
 

The aim of this study was to examine whether MBCT was as effective as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of patients with panic disorder. Twenty-three patients with panic disorder were included in a MBCT program for a period of 8 weeks. Both scores on the anxiety and panic disorder measures were significantly decreased compared to baseline in the patients with panic disorder. In addition, all subscale scores of Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R) decreased significantly. MBCT could be effective as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder.

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This site contains information from published studies, the abstracts for which, are freely available on PubMed.   Studies with multiple authors have been abbreviated to et al.

Vujanovic, A., et al. (2009). Mindfulness-based acceptance and post-traumatic stress symptoms among trauma-exposed adults without axis I psychopathology. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Vol 23(2), 297-303.
 

The present investigation examined the incremental predictive validity of mindfulness-based processes, indexed by the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, in relation to post-traumatic stress symptom severity among individuals without any axis I psychopathology. Participants included 239 adults who endorsed exposure to traumatic life events. Results indicated that the Accepting without Judgment subscale was significantly incrementally associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms; effects were above and beyond the variance accounted for by negative affectivity and number of trauma types experienced. The Acting with Awareness subscale was incrementally associated with only posttraumatic stress-relevant re-experiencing symptoms; and no other mindfulness factors were related to the dependent measures. Findings are discussed in relation to extant empirical and theoretical work relevant to mindfulness and posttraumatic stress

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Witkiewitz K. and Bowen, S., (2010). Depression, craving and substance use following a randomized trial of Mindfulness-based relapse prevention.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 78(3), 362-374.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), shown to be efficacious for reduction of substance use, uses mindfulness-based practices to teach alternative responses to emotional discomfort and lessen the conditioned response of craving in the presence of depressive symptoms. This study involved 168 adults with substance use disorder and they were measured for depressive symptoms, craving, and substance use by following MBRP. MBRP appears to influence cognitive and behavioralresponses to depressive symptoms including craving, partially explaining reductions in post-intervention substance use among the MBRP group.

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Davidson, R., et al. (2003). Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine, Vol 65, 564-570.

Twenty-five participants completed an 8-week mindfulness meditation training program. The results demonstrate a significant increase in left-brain activity that is associated with positive affect.  Also, a significant increase in antibody titer in response to influenza vaccination demonstrates an improved immune function response.  These results demonstrate that a short-term program of mindfulness meditation can produce positive effects on the brain and immune function.

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Hölzel, B., et al. (2011) Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, Vol 191(1), 36-43.

Sixteen people new to meditation completed an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program. The results suggest that participation in MBSR is associated with changes in gray matter concentration in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing, and perspective taking.