We examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depressive symptoms in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and explored the moderating effects of participant, method, and intervention characteristics.
We systematically searched 8 databases from their inception till November 2021. The inclusion criteria were primary studies evaluating MBIs in patients with SUDs with depression measured as an outcome, those including a control group, and those written in English. We used a random-effects model to compute effect sizes (ESs) using Hedges’
Nineteen studies included 1352 participants (age: 38.6 ± 7.0 years). Overall, MBIs showed significantly improved depression (
MBIs improved depressive symptoms in patients with SUDs. MBIs might be used as an adjunctive or alternative to conventional treatment for depressed patients with SUDs.