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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Mar 13;19(6):3380.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063380.

Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yolanda Álvarez-Pérez  1   2   3 , Amado Rivero-Santana  1   2   3 , Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez  2   3   4 , Andrea Duarte-Díaz  1   2   3 , Vanesa Ramos-García  1   2   3 , Ana Toledo-Chávarri  1   2   3   4 , Alezandra Torres-Castaño  1   2   3 , Beatriz León-Salas  1   2   3   4 , Diego Infante-Ventura  1   2   3 , Nerea González-Hernández  4   5   6 , Leticia Rodríguez-Rodríguez  1   2   3 , Pedro Serrano-Aguilar  2   3   4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yolanda Álvarez-Pérez et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Meditation is defined as a form of cognitive training that aims to improve attentional and emotional self-regulation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness and safety of mantra-based meditation techniques (MBM), in comparison to passive or active controls, or other active treatment, for the management of mental health symptoms.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases were consulted up to April 2021. Randomised controlled trials regarding meditation techniques mainly based on the repetition of mantras, such as transcendental meditation or others, were included.

Results: MBM, compared to control conditions, was found to produce significant small-to-moderate effect sizes in the reduction of anxiety (g = -0.46, IC95%: -0.60, -0.32; I2 = 33%), depression (g = -0.33, 95% CI: -0.48, -0.19; I2 = 12%), stress (g = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.65, -0.24; I2 = 46%), post-traumatic stress (g = -0.59, 95% CI: -0.79, -0.38; I2 = 0%), and mental health-related quality of life (g = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.49; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions: MBM appears to produce small-to-moderate significant reductions in mental health; however, this evidence is weakened by the risk of study bias and the paucity of studies with psychiatric samples and long-term follow-up.

Keywords: mantra-based meditation; mental health; meta-analysis; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the study selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect on anxiety (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect on anxiety (meditation vs. relaxation). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect on depression (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effect on depression (meditation vs. psychotherapy). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effect on stress (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Effect on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Effect on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (clinician-reported) (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Effect on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (meditation vs. psychotherapy). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Effect on mental health-related quality of life (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Effect on general psychopathology (meditation vs. control). Predictive intervals are represented in red.
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