Mindfulness is just a short-term fix?

Perhaps - but maybe it's really hard to stick with mindfulness programmes

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Long story short

Through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, it was found that mindfulness-based interventions could reduce stress symptoms in the short-term but were not effective in the long-term.

What was the focus?

The impact of mindfulness-based interventions like mindfulness-based stress reduction on stress and losing weight.

Who was studied?

Adults of all ages, ranging from 20 to 56.

How was it studied?

The researchers conducted a thorough examination and combined analysis of 13 randomised controlled trials, which included a total of 1,104 participants. Out of the 13 studies, 8 only included adults with overweight, while 5 included all body weights. Depending on the study, an MBI was done every day for a stretch of 4-24 weeks.

What were the results?

There was no significant reduction in stress symptoms when MBI was practiced for up to two months. The researchers assessed the effect size as small. For studies lasting longer than 2 months, MBI had no effect on stress levels. What's more, MBI didn't help anyone with overweight lose any weight.

Anything else I should know?

The data point to MBI being effective only immediately (or up to two months of practice), not in the long run. But it makes sense that the more MBI you do, the less stress. So what could explain this discrepancy?

It could be that it's tough to stay with an MBI regime for a long time, which would account for this difference. In other words, future studies should watch out for adhering to the MBI to double-check the results from this study.

How am I using this information?

For what it’s worth, I still engage in mindful practices. But I don’t expect them to solve all my problems. And I take my practice doses in small, bite-size chucks throughout the day. Some days more than others. Just taking as needed. Less pressure to get it done that way, which I find completely counterproductive to the effect I’m trying to get.