MBSR for Better Health: A Narrative Review

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 89 98
    By

    Mabel Gupta,

  1. PhD Scholar, Department of Psychology And Allied Sciences, Amity University (AIPS), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Introduction: MBSR is a mindfulness-based intervention created by John Kibbat Zinn in the 1970’s using the principles of the Buddhist tradition. Since its creation it has found to be effective in various physiological and psychological issues such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, blood pressure, hypertension, anxiety, depression, and other ailments. In this particular narrative review, we screened and selected various studies that observed better physiological and psychological health post the MBSR intervention. Methodology: PubMed and DOAJ were used to do literature review. 10 researches were included in this narrative analysis after pertinent papers were screened and selected using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The analysis was conducted on basis of their methodology, results, conclusions and limitations.
Results: Studies have time and again have observed the positive changes associated with the MBSR intervention, for example: participants observed an improvement in overall health, mental health, life satisfaction, level of perceived stress etc., along with a pattern of decrement in negative factors is also observed such as a decrement in symptoms experienced related to disorders like anxiety and depression, somatic complaints etc. Conclusion: Post MBSR intervention scores of physiological and psychological related symptoms or ailments have been observed to be largely positive in comparison to the pre-intervention scores. Thus, we can conclude that the intervention is effective in improving an individual’s quality of life and life satisfaction if adopted as a wellness practice.

Keywords: MBSR, Physiological health, Psychological well-being, Stress reduction, Mental health intervention, Resilience

[This article belongs to International Journal of Behavioral Sciences ]

How to cite this article:
Mabel Gupta. MBSR for Better Health: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 03(01):89-98.
How to cite this URL:
Mabel Gupta. MBSR for Better Health: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 03(01):89-98. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijbsc/article=2026/view=226017


References

  1. Anggraini D. Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Managing Hypertension among Adults in Indonesia. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2024;7(9):22–34.
  2. Bazarko D, Cate RA, Azocar F, Kreitzer MJ. The impact of an innovative mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the health and well-being of nurses employed in a corporate setting. Journal of workplace behavioral health. 2013 Apr 1;28(2):107–33.doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2013.779518
  3. Biggs A, Brough P, Drummond S. Lazarus and Folkman’s psychological stress and coping theory. The handbook of stress and health: A guide to research and practice. 2017 Apr 19:349–64. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118993811.ch21
  4. Bonde EH, Mikkelsen EG, Fjorback LO, Juul L. Impacting employees’ and managers’ mental health skills using a workplace-adapted mindfulness-based intervention. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022 Dec 6;13:1020454.. 13:1020454. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1020454
  5. Geary C, Rosenthal SL. Sustained impact of MBSR on stress, well-being, and daily spiritual experiences for 1 year in academic health care employees. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Paradigm, Practice, and Policy Advancing Integrative Health. 2011 Oct;17(10):939–44.
  6. de Vibe M, Solhaug I, Rosenvinge JH, Tyssen R, Hanley A, Garland E. Six-year positive effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on mindfulness, coping and well-being in medical and psychology students; Results from a randomized controlled trial. PloS one. 2018 Apr 24;13(4):e0196053. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196053
  7. Deswal R, Narwal V, Dang A, Pundir CS. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome: a brief systematic review. Journal of human reproductive sciences. 2020 Oct 1;13(4):261–71. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_95_18
  8. Diachenko M, Smith KK, Fjorback L, Hansen NV, Linkenkaer-Hansen K, Pallesen KJ. Pre-retirement employees experience lasting improvements in resilience and well-being after mindfulness-based stress reduction. Frontiers in psychology. 2021 Jul 15;12:699088. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699088
  9. Fisher V, Li WW, Malabu U. The effectiveness of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) on the mental health, HbA1C, and mindfulness of diabetes patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being. 2023 Nov;15(4):1733–49. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12441
  10. Guu SF, Chao YP, Huang FY, Cheng YT, Ng HY, Hsu CF, Chuang CH, Huang CM, Wu CW. Interoceptive awareness: MBSR training alters information processing of salience network. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 2023 Mar 21;17:1008086.doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1008086
  11. Kilpatrick LA, Suyenobu BY, Smith SR, Bueller JA, Goodman T, Creswell JD, Tillisch K, Mayer EA, Naliboff BD. Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on intrinsic brain connectivity. Neuroimage. 2011 May 1;56(1):290–8.
  12. Sauter SL, Murphy LR. Organizational risk factors for job stress. American Psychological Association; 1995.pp1-6
  13. Hydeman J, Ernhout C, Attwood K, Hong CC. RCT of an Online MBSR Intervention with Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients.pp:1–26 doi:https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1405835/v1]
  14. Kabat-Zinn J, Massion A, Kristeller J, Peterson LG, Fletcher KE, Pbert L, Lenderking W, Santorelli S. Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program. Am J Psychiatry. 1992;149(7):936–43. doi:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.149.7.936
  15. Fredrickson BL. The broaden–and–build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical transactions of the royal society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences. 2004 Sep 29;359(1449):1367–77. doi:https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512
  16. Lin L, He G, Yan J, Gu C, Xie J. The effects of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction program for nurses: a randomized controlled trial. Workplace health & safety. 2019 Mar;67(3):111–22. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079918801633
  17. Merkes M. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with chronic diseases. Australian journal of primary health. 2010 Sep 6;16(3):200–210. doi:https://doi.org/10.1071/PY09063
  18. Micklitz K, Wong G, Howick J. Mindfulness-based programmes to reduce stress and enhance well-being at work: a realist review. BMJ open. 2021 Mar 1;11(3):e043525. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043525
  19. Myrtveit I, Jez V, Johansen V. The effect of mindfulness training on employees in a dynamic organizational setting. International journal of multidisciplinarity in business and science. 2014 Nov 1;2(2):13–19.
  20. PERMATM Theory of Well-Being and PERMATM Workshops. (n.d.). Positive Psychology Center. Retrieved from https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops#:~:text=What%20is%20human%20flourishing%20and,are%20strategies%20to%20increase%20each
  21. Reibel D, McCown D. Mindfulness-based stress reduction: Theory, practice and evidence base. InHandbook of mindfulness-based programmes 2019 Aug 13 (pp. 29–41). Routledge. doi:https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315265438-4
  22. Adinda R, Bintari DR. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Group Intervention to Reduce Burnout among Caregivers in Nursing Home. Journal of Educational, Health and Community Psychology. 2020;9(2):30–47 DOI:10.12928/jehcp.v9i2.15874
  23. Gautami S, Anupama T. Organizational stressors & occupational stress of software professionals in India. International Journal of Indian Psychology. 2016;3(3):83–88.
  24. Salajegheh Z, Ahmadi A, Shahrahmani H, Jahani Y, Alidousti K, Nasiri Amiri F, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) effects on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). BMC Psychiatry. 2023;23(1):185. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04671-6
  25. Lenzenweger MF. Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2004 May 1;161(5):936–7.
  26. Soltani M, Farhadi H, Manshaee G, Mehdad A. Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on positive affect, negative affect, and emotional exhaustion of employees with occupational stress. Archives of Hygiene Sciences. 2023 Oct 10;12(3):155-60. Retrieved from http://jhygiene.muq.ac.ir/article-1-658-en.html
  27. Hyland T. Mindful nation UK–report by the mindfulness all-party parliamentary group (MAPPG). J Educ Policy. 2015 Retrieved from https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
  28. Rajgopal T. Mental well-being at the workplace. Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine. 2010 Sep 1;14(3):63–65. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.75691
  29. De Vibe M, Bjørndal A, Tipton E, Hammerstrøm K, Kowalski K. Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving health, quality of life, and social functioning in adults. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 2012;8(1):1–27.
  30. Vonderlin R, Biermann M, Bohus M, Lyssenko L. Mindfulness-based programs in the workplace: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Mindfulness. 2020 Jul;11(7):1579–98. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01328-3
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 12/06/2025
Accepted 14/08/2025
Published 02/05/2026
Publication Time 324 Days
344

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics