What question did this study set out to answer?

April 1, 2026Open Access

A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Examining the Effect of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on Pain Severity and Quality of Life in People Living With Fibromyalgia

Key Points

To evaluate the impact of mindfulness based stress reduction on pain severity and quality of life for individuals with fibromyalgia.
Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies
Included assessments of pain severity and quality of life outcomes
Compared effects of mindfulness based stress reduction with other active treatments
Mindfulness based stress reduction did not significantly reduce pain severity
It showed a small positive effect on quality of life compared to other treatments
Benefits to quality of life were noted at both short and long term follow-ups

Abstract

This meta-analysis reveals that, among individuals living with fibromyalgia, mindfulness based stress reduction does not significantly reduce pain severity, updating the guidance from the last review in 2013. Mindfulness based stress reduction does however have a small positive effect on quality of life compared with other active treatments, at both short and long term follow up. This suggests there is a long lasting, mindfulness specific mechanism that improves quality of life.

Read Full Paperexternally

Bookmark

View Full Paper

Cite This Study

WALSH et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ccb6fd16edfba7beb88ca3 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70239

Bookmark

View Full Paper