The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions

Background
Depression is a common mental health difficulty with a high relapse rate. Mindfulness-Based Self-Help (MBSH) may be effective for individuals with depression, but has not been reviewed. A pre-registered (Prospero:CRD42024497040) systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of MBSH for individuals experiencing depression.

Method
A systematic search of five databases and two registers identified eight papers eligible for inclusion in analysis. Second-raters independently checked 5% of potentially eligible records, risk of study bias for included records and data extraction (100%, 90% and 99.6% agreement respectively). Two meta-analyses and two moderation analyses were completed.

Results
MBSH arms showed significantly lower post-intervention depression levels than active (g=-.27, 95% CI=-.45 to -.01), but not passive controls (g=-.16, 95% CI=-.59 to .27). Analysable follow-up effects were non-significant. High guidance, but not low guidance, MBSH sub-groups showed significantly lower post-intervention depression levels than controls, with no significant moderation effect. This is possibly due to the small number of studies. Secondary and unplanned analyses are reported. All but one study had high risk of bias. There was substantial heterogeneity within many meta-analyses.

Conclusions
Whilst it was tentatively concluded higher MBSH guidance could increase intervention adherence consequently reducing depression symptoms, further, higher quality, research is needed.