Defining and measuring meditation-related adverse effects in mindfulness-based programs.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled prospective follow-up study / case series assessing adverse effects after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy variants
PubMed 35174010 · doi:10.1177/2167702621996340
What was done
An independent assessor administered the 44-item Meditation Experiences Interview (MedEx-I) to measure meditation-related side effects following three variants of an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program in 96 participants. Items were assessed for occurrence, causal link to meditation practice, duration, valence, and functional impact.
What was found
Eighty-three percent of participants reported at least one meditation-related side effect. Negative-valence adverse effects occurred in 58% of the sample, and 37% experienced negative impacts on functioning. Lasting adverse effects were reported by 6% to 14% of participants and were associated with hyperarousal and dissociation.
Why it matters
This study provides systematic measurement demonstrating that mindfulness programs carry measurable risks of adverse effects, transient distress, and functional impairment, challenging assumptions that these practices are inherently benign.
Limits
The abstract reports a modest sample size (n = 96) and lacks a non-meditating or active control group to distinguish meditation-specific effects from general symptom fluctuations or non-specific intervention effects. Participant baseline clinical characteristics and exact criteria defining 'lasting' effects are not detailed in the abstract.