| Title |
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Meditation on Empathy, Compassion, and Prosocial Behaviors
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
Mindfulness, October 2017
|
| DOI | 10.1007/s12671-017-0841-8 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
Christina M. Luberto, Nina Shinday, Rhayun Song, Lisa L. Philpotts, Elyse R. Park, Gregory L. Fricchione, Gloria Y. Yeh |
| Abstract |
Increased attention has focused on methods to increase empathy, compassion, and pro-social behavior. Meditation practices have traditionally been used to cultivate pro-social outcomes, and recently investigations have sought to evaluate their efficacy for these outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of meditation for pro-social emotions and behavior. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases (inception-April 2016) using the search terms: mindfulness, meditation, mind-body therapies, tai chi, yoga, MBSR, MBCT, empathy, compassion, love, altruism, sympathy, or kindness. Randomized controlled trials in any population were included (26 studies with 1,714 subjects). Most were conducted among healthy adults (n=11) using compassion or loving kindness meditation (n=18) over 8-12weeks (n=12) in a group format (n=17). Most control groups were wait-list or no-treatment (n=15). Outcome measures included self-reported emotions (e.g., composite scores, validated measures) and observed behavioral outcomes (e.g., helping behavior in real-world and simulated settings). Many studies showed a low risk of bias. Results demonstrated small to medium effects of meditation on self-reported (SMD = .40, p < .001) and observable outcomes (SMD = .45, p < .001) and suggest psychosocial and neurophysiological mechanisms of action. Subgroup analyses also supported small to medium effects of meditation even when compared to active control groups. Clinicians and meditation teachers should be aware that meditation can improve positive pro-social emotions and behaviors. |
X Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 33 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 11 | 33% |
| Spain | 3 | 9% |
| Germany | 3 | 9% |
| Australia | 2 | 6% |
| Denmark | 2 | 6% |
| United Kingdom | 2 | 6% |
| Korea, Republic of | 1 | 3% |
| New Zealand | 1 | 3% |
| Canada | 1 | 3% |
| Other | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown | 7 | 21% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 21 | 64% |
| Scientists | 11 | 33% |
| Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 3% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 493 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 493 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 66 | 13% |
| Student > Master | 61 | 12% |
| Student > Bachelor | 53 | 11% |
| Researcher | 42 | 9% |
| Student > Doctoral Student | 39 | 8% |
| Other | 89 | 18% |
| Unknown | 143 | 29% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 168 | 34% |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 36 | 7% |
| Social Sciences | 26 | 5% |
| Nursing and Health Professions | 22 | 4% |
| Neuroscience | 20 | 4% |
| Other | 59 | 12% |
| Unknown | 162 | 33% |
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 79. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 12 May 2024.
All research outputs
#554,380
of 25,887,951 outputs
Outputs from Mindfulness
#47
of 1,549 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#11,599
of 341,552 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Mindfulness
#3
of 47 outputs
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