A systematic review and meta-analysis of workplace mindfulness training randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

This meta-analytic review responds to promises in the research literature and public domain about the benefits of workplace mindfulness training. It synthesizes randomized controlled trial evidence from workplace-delivered training for changes in mindfulness, stress, mental health, wellbeing and work performance outcomes. Going beyond extant reviews, this paper explores the influence of variability in workforce and intervention characteristics for reducing perceived stress. Meta-effect estimates (Hedge's g) were computed using data from 23 studies. Results indicate beneficial effects following training for mindfulness (g=0.45, p<0.001) and stress (g=0.56, p<0.001); for the mental health indicators anxiety (g=0.62, p<0.001) and psychological distress (g=0.69, p<0.001); and for wellbeing (g=0.46, p=0.002) and sleep (g=0.26, p=0.003). No conclusions could be drawn from pooled data for burnout due to ambivalence in results, for depression due to publication bias, or for work performance due to insufficient data. The potential for integrating the construct of mindfulness within demands-resources, coping and prevention theories of work stress is considered in relation to the results. Limitations to study designs and reporting are addressed, and recommendations to advance research in this field are made.

Perspectives: Getting to the heart of workforce wellbeing in health and social care: from personal practice to organisational change

“…The short answer is yes, but not for all the outcomes you might think. We recently published a meta-analysis of all randomised controlled trials of mindfulness-based training in workplaces, where training was usually based on some form of mindfulness-based stress reduction rather than the form of mindfulness for clinical intervention (Bartlett et al 2019). Reliable improvements were observed for mindfulness, wellbeing, anxiety and sleep, but less-conclusive findings for depression and burnout.…”

“…There is a need to report interventions appropriately, in terms of format, trainer competency, modules delivered and other elements important for understanding treatment fidelity and replicability (Crane, 2019). Uncertainty remains on what is an effective dose, and which elements of mindfulness training are delivering the effect, especially for the scalable 'low-dose' interventions popular in workplaces (Bartlett et al 2019). Potential adverse effects of mindfulness training are not always considered despite evidence in some trials showing that people did worse than the control condition on some indicators (Bartlett et al 2019).…”

“…Uncertainty remains on what is an effective dose, and which elements of mindfulness training are delivering the effect, especially for the scalable 'low-dose' interventions popular in workplaces (Bartlett et al 2019). Potential adverse effects of mindfulness training are not always considered despite evidence in some trials showing that people did worse than the control condition on some indicators (Bartlett et al 2019). Mindfulness is not always benign, and well-intentioned efforts within the workplace need to consider when and with whom mindfulness training may not be recommended.…”

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“…With its popularity and apparent effectiveness in optimizing health, well-being, and cognitive function, it is not surprising that mindfulness programs are of great interest as a preventive intervention for managing stress and well-being at work [9][10][11][12]. Mindfulness in the workplace has become more tractable with the development and popularity of mobile application [app]-delivered meditation content, available both in the public (i.e.…”

A follow‐up study to a randomised control trial to investigate the perceived impact of mindfulness on academic performance in university students

“…Mindfulness has been shown to promote well‐being and mental health in the general population, and numerous systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have evidenced this (de Abreu Costa, de Oliveira, Tatton‐Ramos, Manfro, & Salum, ; Goldberg et al, ; Sevilla‐Llewellyn‐Jones, Santesteban‐Echarri, Pryor, McGorry, & Alvarez‐Jimenez, ; Tomlinson, Yousaf, Vittersø, & Jones, ; Weare & Huppert, ). Mindfulness has also been shown to have beneficial effects for reducing stress and anxiety in the workplace (Bartlett et al, ). Mindfulness training is increasingly being offered in universities to promote well‐being (MFS, ).…”