AHRQ Review Finds Some Meditation Programs Beneficial for Psychological Stress

Meditation programs – particularly mindfulness programs designed to focus attention and awareness on inner and outer experiences with acceptance, patience and compassion – are beneficial for reducing psychological stress, including anxiety, depression, and pain, according to a new research review from AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program. An abstract of findings from the report was published January 6 in JAMA Internal Medicine. Meditation employs a variety of techniques to facilitate the mind’s capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. However, according to AHRQ’s research review, there was insufficient evidence on the effect of meditation programs on stress-related behavioral outcomes such as positive mood, attention, substance use, eating, sleep, and weight. Stronger study designs are needed to determine the effects of meditation programs on improving the positive dimensions of mental health as well as stress-related behavioral outcomes. Complete findings can be found in the research review, “Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-Being.”