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Effectiveness of training programs based on mindfulness in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cláudia Cardoso Gomes da Silva, Cláudia Vicari Bolognani, F. Amorim, A. Imoto

Systematic Reviews, 2023

75 citations

Abstract

Background Medical schools have used mindfulness meditation as a strategy to assist students in stress management. This study aimed to seek evidence regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness-based training programs in reducing psychological distress and promoting the well-being of medical students. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO/PsycNet, LILACS/BVS, ERIC (ProQuest), Web of Science, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized clinical trials published until March 2022, without time or language restrictions. Two authors independently screened the articles, extracted data using a standardized extraction form, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) tool and the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Results Of the 848 articles retrieved, 8 met the inclusion criteria. Mindfulness-based training improved the outcomes: mindfulness (small post-intervention effect: SMD = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.54; p = 0.03; I ^2 = 46%; high evidence quality, and small effect at follow-up: SMD = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.70; p = 0.03; I ^2 = 53%; low evidence quality), psychological well-being/health (there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the post-intervention effect: SMD = − 0.27; 95% CI: − 0.67 to 0.13; p = 0.18; I ^2 = 76%; moderate…

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