Meta-analytic evidence for effects of mindfulness training on dimensions of self-reported dispositional mindfulness.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness training improves self-reported mindfulness scale dimensions, if study design factors moderate these changes, and if changes in mindfulness correlate with mental health benefits.
Results Summary
The study found small to moderate improvements in mindfulness scale dimensions (effect sizes g = 0.28-0.49), with changes moderately correlated (r = 0.27-0.30) with beneficial mental health outcomes, except for the Observation dimension (r = 0.16). Moderation analyses yielded inconsistent results.
Population
5,787 participants across 88 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2003-2014.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness training | increase | self-reported mindfulness scale dimensions | participants in randomized controlled trials | g = 0.28-0.49 | change | #1 |
mindfulness training | increase | Attention dimension of mindfulness | participants in randomized controlled trials | g = 0.28-0.49 | change | #2 |
mindfulness training | increase | Description dimension of mindfulness | participants in randomized controlled trials | g = 0.28-0.49 | change | #3 |
mindfulness training | increase | Nonjudgment dimension of mindfulness | participants in randomized controlled trials | g = 0.28-0.49 | change | #4 |
mindfulness training | increase | Nonreactivity dimension of mindfulness | participants in randomized controlled trials | g = 0.28-0.49 | change | #5 |
mindfulness training | increase | Observation dimension of mindfulness | participants in randomized controlled trials | g = 0.28-0.49 | change | #6 |
mindfulness training | increase | beneficial intervention outcomes | participants in randomized controlled trials | r = .27-0.30 | correlated with | #7 |
mindfulness training | increase | beneficial intervention outcomes via Observation dimension | participants in randomized controlled trials | r = .16 | correlated with | #8 |
Improvements in stable, or dispositional, mindfulness are often assumed to accrue from mindfulness training and to account for many of its beneficial effects. However, research examining these assumptions has produced mixed findings, and the relation between dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness training is actively debated. A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness training published from 2003-2014 to investigate whether (a) different self-reported mindfulness scale dimensions change as a result of mindfulness training, (b) key aspects of study design (e.g., control condition type, population type, and intervention type) moderate training-related changes in dispositional mindfulness scale dimensions, and (c) changes in mindfulness scale dimensions are associated with beneficial changes in mental health outcomes. Scales from widely used dispositional mindfulness measures were combined into 5 categories for analysis: Attention, Description, Nonjudgment, Nonreactivity, and Observation. A total of 88 studies (n = 5,787) were included. Changes in scale dimensions of mindfulness from pre to post mindfulness training produced mean difference effect sizes ranging from small to moderate (g = 0.28-0.49). Consistent with the theorized role of improvements in mindfulness in training outcomes, changes in dispositional mindfulness scale dimensions were moderately correlated with beneficial intervention outcomes (r = .27-0.30), except for the Observation dimension (r = .16). Overall, moderation analyses revealed inconsistent results, and limitations of moderator analyses suggest important directions for future research. We discuss how the findings can inform the next generation of mindfulness assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record