The meta-analyses that Ruth Whippman cites included only 41 trials (with 2,993 participants). The figure 18,000 is incorrect. Also, that meta-analyses included only very rigorous trials (only RCTs in which the control group was additionally matched in time and attention to the intervention group – note that this type of rigorous trials are not even employed when conducting physical activity trials for various population groups). Further, that meta-analyses used a highly heterogeneous group of meditation styles and many of the studies were short-term studies. On the other hand, a newer systematic review and meta-analysis, found that evidence supports the use of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs to alleviate symptoms of a variety of mental and physical disorders (see: Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs. PLoS One 10 (4).). This review included a combined total of 8683 participants consisting of different patient categories as well as healthy adults and children.
Additionally, we need to remember that there are other types of investigations for mindfulness that has revealed very interesting results such as structural changes in the brain (there are numerous studies that support this). The following 2016 neuroscience article shows that mindfulness interventions can alleviate depression: Greenberg, Jonathan, et al. “Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depressed individuals improves suppression of irrelevant mental-sets.” European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (2016): 1-6.
The meta-analyses that Ruth Whippman cites included only 41 trials (with 2,993 participants). The figure 18,000 is incorrect. Also, that meta-analyses included only very rigorous trials (only RCTs in which the control group was additionally matched in time and attention to the intervention group – note that this type of rigorous trials are not even employed when conducting physical activity trials for various population groups). Further, that meta-analyses used a highly heterogeneous group of meditation styles and many of the studies were short-term studies. On the other hand, a newer systematic review and meta-analysis, found that evidence supports the use of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs to alleviate symptoms of a variety of mental and physical disorders (see: Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs. PLoS One 10 (4).). This review included a combined total of 8683 participants consisting of different patient categories as well as healthy adults and children.
Additionally, we need to remember that there are other types of investigations for mindfulness that has revealed very interesting results such as structural changes in the brain (there are numerous studies that support this). The following 2016 neuroscience article shows that mindfulness interventions can alleviate depression: Greenberg, Jonathan, et al. “Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depressed individuals improves suppression of irrelevant mental-sets.” European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (2016): 1-6.
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