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Meditation techniques v. relaxation therapies when treating anxiety: a meta-analytic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2019

Jesus Montero-Marin*
Affiliation:
Primary Care Prevention and Health Promotion Research Network (RedIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain
Javier Garcia-Campayo
Affiliation:
Primary Care Prevention and Health Promotion Research Network (RedIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain Aragon Institute of Health Research, Zaragoza, Spain
Mari Cruz Pérez-Yus
Affiliation:
Primary Care Prevention and Health Promotion Research Network (RedIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain Aragon Institute of Health Research, Zaragoza, Spain Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Edurne Zabaleta-del-Olmo
Affiliation:
Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
Pim Cuijpers
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
Author for correspondence: Jesus Montero-Marin, E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

To what extent meditation techniques (which incorporate practices to regulate attention, construct individual values, or deconstruct self-related assumptions), are more or less effective than relaxation therapy in the treatment of anxiety, is not clear. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of meditation compared to relaxation in reducing anxiety. A systematic review from PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Central was conducted. A meta-analysis of 14 RCTs (n = 862 participants suffering from anxiety disorders or high trait anxiety) was performed. Effect sizes (ESs) were determined by Hedges’ g. Heterogeneity, risk of publication bias, quality of studies/interventions, and researcher allegiance, were evaluated. Meditation techniques incorporated attentional elements, and five of them also added constructive practices. No studies were found using deconstructive exercises. The overall ES was g = −0.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.40 to −0.07], favouring meditation (number needed to treat = 7.74). Heterogeneity was low (I2 = 2; 95% CI 0 to 56). There was no evidence of publication bias, but few studies and interventions were of high quality, and allegiance might be moderating results. Meditation seems to be a bit more effective than relaxation in the treatment of anxiety, and it might also remain more effective at 12-month follow-up. However, more research using the full spectrum of meditation practices to treat different anxiety disorders, including independent studies to avoid researcher allegiance, is needed if we are to have a precise idea of the potential of these techniques compared to relaxation therapy.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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