Effect of mindfulness-based intervention in patients with diabetes: a meta-analytic review
Fecha de publicación: 15/04/2025

ABSTRACT
Background/objective: Traditional management strategies for diabetes
primarily focus on behavioural risk factors and pharmacological
therapies. Furthermore, mindfulness-based interventions
(MBIs) aim to assist patients in recognising and accepting sensations,
emotions and cognitions without automatic reactivity. This
approach can potentially enhance glycaemic control and mental
health in diabetic patients. This systematic review and metaanalysis
aim to assess the effects of MBIs among individuals diagnosed
with diabetes.
Methods: A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were
conducted following international quality standards utilised by the
Cochrane Collaboration. Randomised controlled trials were
included. The population of interest was defined as any patient
diagnosed with diabetes; MBIs were defined as the intervention.
Pubmed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane
Central Register of Controlled Trials and Lilacs were accessed.
A grey literature search was performed using OpenGrey and
ClinicalTrials tools. Outcomes included changes in glycosylated
haemoglobin percentage (%HbA1c), depression, and stress scores.
The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, and publication
bias was evaluated through Egger’s test. The results were presented
with forest plots. The mean difference (MD) for the %HbA1c and the
standardised MD for the measurement scale scores were used as
effect measures.
Results: The initial search retrieved 442 scientific articles, 11 randomised
clinical trials were finally selected for the systematic review,
which included 987 participants (487 in the intervention groups),
and seven articles were included in the meta-analysis. The metaanalysis
showed that MBIs had effects at follow-up (between 12 and
20 weeks) in reducing %HbA1c levels (MD = −0.5, CI 95% [−0.67,
−0.34]) and depression SMD = −0.84, CI 95% [−1.11, −0.56]).
Conclusions: It is proposed that mindfulness significantly enhances
mental health and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes.
Further research is warranted to confirm these effects and gain
a deeper understanding of the contribution of MBIs in comprehensive
diabetes treatment.

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