What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: Blood pressure (n=2002). Intervention: Mindfulness-based interventions vs. Control. Primary outcome: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP -6.320 mm Hg, DBP -4.091 mm Hg).

April 19, 2026

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) on Blood Pressure Among Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Key Result

Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 6.320 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 4.091 mm Hg in adults.

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on blood pressure in adults and identify factors influencing their effectiveness.
Performed a systematic search of 10 electronic databases for eligible studies until February 2025.
Reviewed randomized controlled trials focused on blood pressure outcomes in adults undergoing mindfulness interventions.
Applied a random-effects model to compute effect sizes and assessed study heterogeneity using Funnel plots, Q statistics, and I 2.
Examined 21 studies with 23 comparisons involving 2002 participants, with 1045 in the mindfulness group.
Mindfulness-based interventions resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure by −6.320 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by −4.091 mm Hg.
Several moderators such as funding, intervention fidelity, health condition, and settings influenced the effect sizes.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=2,002)

Structured PICO

Do mindfulness-based interventions reduce blood pressure in adults?

Population

21 RCTs pooling 2,002 adults, 38% female, mean age 50.86 years.

Intervention

Mindfulness-based interventions based on Buddhist teaching

Comparator

Control groups

Outcome

Reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressuresurrogate

Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults, suggesting utility as a complementary treatment.

Main Result

Effect estimate: SBP -6.320 mm Hg, DBP -4.091 mm Hg

Limitations

No primary studies reported adverse effects

Abstract

Objective: In this study, our aim was to examine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on blood pressure in adults, with additional exploration of study characteristics, methodological factors, intervention types, and participant demographics as potential moderators of the effect sizes. Methods: We systematically searched 10 electronic databases for eligible studies from inception to February 2025. We reviewed studies on blood pressure outcomes for adults receiving mindfulness-based intervention based on Buddhist teaching. We only reviewed randomized controlled trials written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. We used Funnel plot, Q statistics, and I 2 to test the heterogeneity across studies. Also, we examined moderators to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results: Across 21 studies providing 23 between group comparisons (N = 2002), 1045 in mindfulness-based intervention group, and 957 in control groups. Thirty-eight percent of participants were females. Mean age ranged from 20.26 to 72.86 years, with a total mean ( SD ) age across studies of 50.86 (13.40) years. Overall, mindfulness-based interventions had a large effect on the reduction in systolic blood pressure by −6.320 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by −4.091 mm Hg. Funding, intention-to-treat, fidelity of intervention, health condition, and settings were moderators affecting effect sizes. No primary studies reported the adverse effects. Conclusion: Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced blood pressure in adults. Clinicians and health professionals might consider using mindfulness-based interventions as an alternative complementary treatment for controlling blood pressure.

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