Positive Health Online

Abstract

FU and COLLEAGUES,  (1)Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; (2)Mental Health Research Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (3)Department of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong SAR, China. wkwlau@hkmu.edu.hk ; (4)Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. davynn.gh.tan@polyu.edu.hk ; (5)Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. benson.lau@polyu.edu.hk ; (6)Mental Health Research Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China. benson.lau@polyu.edu.hk .(#)Contributed equally to a systematic review and meta-analysis which analyze randomized controlled trials during the COVID-19 pandemic that evaluated the effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms in individuals with depression

Background

Currently, 280 million people worldwide experience depression, ranking it third in the global burden of disease. The incidence of depression has risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it essential to examine evidence-based practices in reducing depressive symptoms during this unprecedented time.

Methodology

This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to analyze randomized controlled trials during the COVID-19 pandemic that evaluated the effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms in individuals with depression. Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched in November 2023 using search terms including meditation, mindfulness, depression, and depressive symptoms. The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software (Cochrane Collaboration). A random model and Standard Mean Difference analysis with 95% CIs were used for continuous variables. The systematic review included 26 RCT studies.

Results

The meta-analysis showed significant effects of mindfulness meditation interventions (SMD = -1.14; 95% CI -1.45 to -0.83; P < 0.001) in reducing depressive symptoms compared to comparison groups.

Conclusion

The findings suggest a positive effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms in individuals with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2024. The Author(s). Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

Fu Y(#)(1), Song Y(#)(1), Li Y(#)(1), Sanchez-Vidana DI(#)(1)(2), Zhang JJ(1), Lau WK(3), Tan DGH(4), Ngai SPC(1), Lau BW(5)(6). The effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 30;14(1):20189. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71213-9.