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The effect of mindfulness interventions on stress in medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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  • Edie L Sperling
  • Jennifer M Hulett
  • LeeAnne B Sherwin
  • Sarah Thompson
  • B Ann Bettencourt

Abstract

Background: Medical students have high levels of stress, which is associated with higher incidents of burnout, depression, and suicide compared to age-matched peers. Mindfulness practices have been shown to reduce stress among medical students. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine if mindfulness interventions have an overall effect on stress outcomes in the high-stress population of medical students globally, particularly given the wide variety of interventions. Any intervention designed to promote mindfulness was included. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was completed to include multiple databases, ancestry, and hand-searching and 35 studies were included. Standardized mean difference effect sizes (ES) were synthesized across studies using a random-effects model for changes in stress levels in medical students ≥ 18. Moderator analyses were performed to explore variations in effects by participant and intervention characteristics. Results: Mindfulness interventions significantly improved stress among medical students in both the two-arm studies (d = 0.370, k = 19, n = 2,199, 95% CI 0.239–0.501, p

Suggested Citation

  • Edie L Sperling & Jennifer M Hulett & LeeAnne B Sherwin & Sarah Thompson & B Ann Bettencourt, 2023. "The effect of mindfulness interventions on stress in medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(10), pages 1-24, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0286387
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael de Vibe & Arild Bjørndal & Sabina Fattah & Gunvor M Dyrdal & Even Halland & Emily E Tanner‐Smith, 2017. "Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving health, quality of life and social functioning in adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 1-264.
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