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

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  • Yolanda Álvarez-Pérez

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Amado Rivero-Santana

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez

    (Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
    Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain)

  • Andrea Duarte-Díaz

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Vanesa Ramos-García

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ana Toledo-Chávarri

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
    Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain)

  • Alezandra Torres-Castaño

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Beatriz León-Salas

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
    Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain)

  • Diego Infante-Ventura

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Nerea González-Hernández

    (Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Barrualde-Galdakao Integrated Health Organisation, 48960 Galdakao, Spain
    Kronikgune Institute for Health Services Research, Ronda de Azkue 1 torre del Bilbao Exhibition Centre, 48902 Barakaldo, Spain)

  • Leticia Rodríguez-Rodríguez

    (Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain)

  • Pedro Serrano-Aguilar

    (Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain
    Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
    Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain)

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; I 2 = 33%), depression (g = −0.33, 95% CI: −0.48, −0.19; I 2 = 12%), stress (g = −0.45, 95% CI: −0.65, −0.24; I 2 = 46%), post-traumatic stress (g = −0.59, 95% CI: −0.79, −0.38; I 2 = 0%), and mental health-related quality of life (g = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.49; I 2 = 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Yolanda Álvarez-Pérez & Amado Rivero-Santana & Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez & Andrea Duarte-Díaz & Vanesa Ramos-García & Ana Toledo-Chávarri & Alezandra Torres-Castaño & Beatriz León-Salas & Diego Infant, 2022. "Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3380-:d:770228
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    References listed on IDEAS

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