Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Mental Health and Psychological Quality of Life among University Students: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review

Table 2

Characteristics of the included studies.

Authors/year/country	Type/recruitment/S general university student sample	No. of student sample (MBSR/control group)	Mean age of MBSR group	Mean age of control group	Inclusion criterion	MBSR protocol	Control group	Outcome measures/results
Bai et al. 2020 [24] USA	First-year college students	55/54	18 and above	18 and above	Previous published references	80-minute, 8 sessions, 6 week	Wait-list	Significant reduction in stress (DISE, ); no significant improvement in negative emotion (NEI, ), rumination (RRQ, )
Baumgartner and Schneider 2023 [25] USA	University general student sample	29/29	18–23	18–23	Previous published references	2-week period, 10-min mindfulness practice	Wait-list	No significant reduction in stress (PSS, ); significant improvement (GPA, )
Cavanagh et al. 2013 [33] USA	University general student sample	54/50	25.28 ± 6.85	24.08 ± 5.98	Previous published references	Online MBSR, 10-min daily, 2 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduction in depression (FFMQ, ), (PSS, ), (PHQ-4, )
Chen et al. 2013 [34] USA	University first-year nursing students	30/30	Unclear	Unclear	Previous published references	7 consecutive days mindfulness meditation, 30-min each time	Health education	Significant reduction in anxiety (SAS, ), depression (SDS, ), and autonomic nervous system function improved (SBP, ), (DBP, )
Danitz and Orsillo 2014 [30] USA	University first-year undergraduates and first-year law students	19/30	18 and above	18 and above	Previous published references	1.5-hr workshop, a 2-week period, 10-min mindfulness practice	Wait-list	Significant reduction in depression (DASS, ); acceptance (PHL-MS, VLQ, ); no significant reduction in anxiety (SAS, )
Martínez-Rubio et al. 2021 [35] UK	University undergraduate psychology students	15/15	22.08 ± 3.65	22.5 ± 4.64	Previous published references	6 MBSR program topic of 90-min sessions weekly per week, 6 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduction in stress and psychological distress (PSS, GHQ-12, ), (FFMQ, ), and self-compassion (SCS-SF, ), (AAQ, )
Delgado et al. 2010 [36] USA	University female students	36/36	18–24	18–24	Previous published references	Mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation, weekly 1-hr group sessions, 5 weeks	Relaxation	Significant improvement in emotional and physiological regulatory mechanisms (STAI, ), (BDI, ), (PANAS, ), (SHC, ), (TMMS, ), heart rate ()
Dvořáková et al. 2017 [37] USA	University first-year undergraduate students	55/54	18.2 ± 0.4	18.2 ± 0.4	Previous published references	8 sessions over 6 weeks, each session 80-min	Wait-list	Significant increase in life satisfaction (SCC, ), (SWL, ), (MAAS, ); significant decrease in depression (GHQ, ) and anxiety (GAD, )
Vibe et al. 2013 [38] NOR	University medicine and psychology	26/43	23.8 ± (5.2)	23.6 ± 4.7	Kabat-Zinn MBSR programme	8 weeks, each sessions 2.5-hr	Wait-list	Significant reduction in mental distress (GHQ-12, ), (MBI, ), (PMSS, ); significant improvement in subjective well-being (SWB, ) and (FFMQ, )
Seppälä et al. 2020 [26] UK	University undergraduate students	34/47	18 and above	18 and above	Online mindfulness program	Twice per week for a total of 30-min, 8 weeks	No-treatment	Significant reduction in burnout (SIMB, ), distress, anxiety, depression (MASQ, ), stress (PSS, ); significant improvement in life satisfaction (SWLS, ), positive affect (PANAS, ), gratitude (GQ-6, ), self-compassion (SCS, ), mindfulness (FFMQ, ), and self-esteem (SISE, )
Galante et al. 2020 [32] USA	University undergraduate or postgraduate students	168/169	18 and above	18 and above	Previous published references	75–90-min MBSR, home practice 15–25-min/day, 8 weeks	Support	No significant improvement in distress (CORE-OM, ); mental well-being (WEMWBS, )
Greeson et al. 2014 [31] USA	University undergraduate, graduate, and professional students	45/45	25.75 ± 6.84	24.76 ± 4.15	Kabat-Zinn MBSR programme	75-min classes, meditation 10 minutes daily, 4 weeks	Wait-list	Significantly reduce perceived stress (PSS, ), increase self-compassion (CAMS-R, ), (SCS, ), gratitude (GQ-6, ), and sleep quality (MOS SLP9, )
Gu et al. 2018 [49] CHA	Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students	45/45	25.4 ± 5.7	25.4 ± 5.7	Kabat-Zinn MBSR programme	75-minute classes first time, 10-min daily, 4 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduce perceived stress (PSS, ), sleep problems(MOS SLP9, ), increase mindfulness (CAMS-R, ), and self-compassion (SCS, )
Hazlett-Stevens and Oren 2016 [40] USA	University undergraduate students	28/26	20.21 ± 1.03	20.38 ± 1.02	Previous published references	1-hour MBSR sessions, 30 min of self-practice per day, 6 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduction in depression, (BDI, ), anxiety (BAI, ); significant improvement in self-compassion (FFMQ, )
Huberty and Oren 2019 [27] USA	University undergraduate students	47/45	22.1	22.1	Previous published references	1-week workbook content quiz, 10-week guided intervention meditation	No-treatment	Significant increased mindfulness (FFMQ, ), quality of life (WHOQOL, ); significant decreases in depression (DASS, ), anxiety (PSS, ), stress (PSWQ, )
Kang et al. 2009 [41] KOR	University female undergraduates	58/55	18.45 ± 0.78	18.45 ± 0.78	Previous published references	Nonjudgmental, and cognitive dissonance-based MBSR, 4 weeks	No-judgmental control	No significant improvement in body image dissatisfaction (BIAQ, ), (BCQ, ), (SBPS, ), depression (BDI-II, ), and eating disorders (EDE-Q, )
Kvillemo et al. 2016 [42] SWE	University undergraduate and postgraduate students	40/39	30.50 ± 10.78	26.67 ± 6.75	Previous published references	2-3 times a week, 8 weeks sessions MBCT	Wait-list	Significant reduction in depression (DASS, ), anxiety (DASS, ), stress (DASS, ); significant increase in satisfaction with life (SWLS, ), self-compassion (SCS, )
Luethcke et al. 2011 [43] USA	University female undergraduates	58/55	22.02 ± 5.52	24.18 ± 9.95	Previous published references	Videoconferences MBSR biweekly in three 20-min evening sessions, 8 weeks	No-judgmental control	Significant improvement in body image (BIAQ, ), (BCQ, ), (SBPS, ), eating disorders (EDE-Q, ); no significant improvement in depression (BDI, )
Lever Taylor et al. 2014 [44] UK	University nursing students	16/16	22.69 ± 1.49	22.25 ± 0.86	Previous published references	90-min per day for 8 weeks session MBSR	Health education	Significant reduction in anxiety (STAI, ), stress (PWI-SF, ); no significant improvement in depression (BDI, )
Erogul et al. 2014 [45] USA	University undergraduate students	46/44			Kabat-Zinn MBSR programme	30–45 minutes, 6 to 7 days per week, 8 weeks session MBSR	Wait-list	No significant increase in mental well-being (FFMQ, ) and depression (SDS, )
Simonsson et al. 2013 [29] USA	University first-year medical students	28/30	23.5 ± 1.7	23.3 ± 1.4	Previous published references	75-min weekly at home and a half-day retreat in the last week, 6 months	No-treatment control	No significant increase in stress (PSS, ), mental resilience (RS, ), self-compassion (SCS, )
Ritvo et al. 2021 [28] CAN	University students	88/89	18 and above	18 and above	British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches 2020	20–30 minutes per day, 4 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduction in anxiety (PROMIS, ); no significant reduction in depression (PROMIS, )
Phang et al. 2015 [50] CHA	Medical students	37/38	21.14 ± 1.10	20.94 ± 1.17	Previous published references	5 week/day, thought-scan, body scan and kindness, home-gym (homework assignment)	Health education	Significant reduction in stress (GHQ, ); significant improvement in subjective well-being (GSES, )
Recabarren et al. 2019 [46] CH	University students	76/78	22.02 ± 5.52	24.18 ± 9.95	Previous published references	Videoconferences MBSR biweekly in three 20-min evening sessions, 8 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduction in anxiety (BAI, ), mindfulness (FFMQ, ); no significant reduction in depression (PHQ, ), and stress (PSS, )
Sun et al. 2021 [47] USA	Undergraduate psychology university students	32/32	21.22 ± 2.27	21.47 ± 2.8	Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview	Cognitive behavioral mindfulness-based stress prevention, 2-h each sessions, 8 weeks	Wait-list	Significant reduction in depression (BDI, ), anxiety (STAI, ), pain (WHOQOL, ), no significant improvement in self-efficacy (GSES, ), coherence (SOC, ), self-compassion (SCS, ), and social support (MSPSS, )
Song and Lindquist 2015 [48] USA	University students	52/47	18 or older	18 and above	Previous published references	40-min each, every day, 4 weeks	Support	Significant increase in mindfulness (MAAS, ); no significant improvement in depression (PHQ, ) and anxiety (GAD, )
van Dijk et al. 2017 [51] NL	Medical students	83/84	23.7 ± 1.91	23.3 ± 1.77	Previous published references	10–20 min of daily mindfulness meditation for 30 days	No-treatment	Significant increase in mindfulness (MAAS, ); significant improvement in stress (PSS, ) and general health (GHQ, ); significant decreases in self-efficacy (GSES, )
Yang et al. 2018 [53] USA	Medical students	45/43	21	21	Previous published references	10–20 min of daily mindfulness meditation for 30 days	No-treatment	Significant increase in mindfulness (FFMQ, ) and mindfulness (FFMQ, ); significant decreases in stress (PSS, )
Gu et al. 2017 [39] CHA	University nursing students	21/23	19–24	19–24	Previous published references	2 hr every day, 8 weeks	Wait-list	Significant decreases in depression (DASS, ), anxiety (DASS, ), stress (DASS, ) and increase in mindfulness (MAAS, )
Warnecke et al. 2011 [52] AUS	Medical students	31/34	23.92 ± 3.2	23.92 ± 3.2	Previous published references	CD contained 30 min of spoken guided mindfulness practice, every day, 8 weeks	No-treatment	Significant decreases in depression (PSS, ), anxiety (DASS, ), stress (PSS, )

Young Adult Alcohol Problems Screening Test, YAAPST; Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, AAQ; Anxiety Sensitivity Index, ASI; Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI; Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; blood pressure, BP; Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, BIAQ; Body Checking Questionnaire, BCQ; Conners’ Adult ADHD Self-Rating Scale, CAARS; Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, CORE-OM; Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, CAMS-R; Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, EDE-Q; Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, DASS; diastolic blood pressure, DBP; Daily Inventory of Stressful Events, DISE; 12-Item General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12; Gratitude Questionnaire, GQ-6; grade point average, GPA; Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, FFMQ; Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale; GAD; General Self-Efficacy Scale, GSES; General Health Questionnaire, GHQ; heart rate, HR; Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, LSAS; negative emotion list, NEI; Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS; Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI; Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, MINI; Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, MSPSS; Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale, MOS SLP9; Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety, PHQ-4; Rumination and Reflection Questionnaire, RRQ; Perceived Medical School Stress Scale, PMSS; Perceived Stress Questionnaire, PSQ; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI; Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, PANAS; Perceived Stress Scale, PSS; Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System, PROMIS; Psychosocial Well-Being Index-Short Form, PWI-SF; Penn State Worry Questionnaire, PSWQ; Resilience Scale, RS; Satisfaction with Body Parts Scale, SBPS; Social Connectedness Scale, SCS; Social Connectedness Scale-Revised, SCS-R; Self-Compassion Scale, SCS; Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, SAS; Self-Rating Depression Scale, SDS; Sense of Coherence Scale, SOC; Single-Item Measure of Burnout, SIMB; Single-Item Self-Esteem Scale, SISE; systolic blood pressure, SBP; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI; subjective health complaints, SHC; Subjective Well-Being Scale, SWB; Trait Meta-Mood Scale, TMMS; Satisfaction with Life Scale, SWLS; World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version, WHOQOL-BREF; Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being scale, WEMWBS.