The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness in menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly used among menopausal women, yet a comprehensive synthesis of their effects on anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness has been lacking. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to March 13, 2022, assessing MBIs versus controls on anxiety, depression, stress, or mindfulness. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Results: Thirteen RCTs involving 1,138 menopausal women were included. MBIs significantly reduced stress compared with controls, while pooled effects on anxiety, depression, and mindfulness were not statistically significant after sensitivity analyses addressing heterogeneity. Conclusion: MBIs may reduce stress in menopausal women, but evidence for improving anxiety, depression, and mindfulness remains inconclusive and warrants further high-quality trials. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022319349.

HL, HZ, JW, KC