A meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness meditation training on self-reported interoception
Isaac N. Treves, Ya‐Yun Chen, Caitlyn L. Wilson, Charles Verdonk, Joanne Qinaʻau, James E. Pustejovsky, Simon B. Goldberg, Wolf Mehling, Zev Schuman‐Olivier, Sahib S. Khalsa
Scientific Reports November 6, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22661-4 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials with 2,191 participants found that mindfulness-based interventions produce a small-to-medium improvement in self-reported interoceptive awareness (g = 0.31). Mindfulness-based programs showed the largest effects (g = 0.41). Improvements in interoception were similar in size to improvements in self-reported mindfulness and were linked to reductions in psychological distress. No evidence of publication bias was detected, and no other factors such as practice dosage or clinical sample significantly moderated the results. These findings suggest mindfulness interventions can positively alter how people subjectively experience bodily sensations, which may contribute to better mental health.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,191 |
| Population | Adults (77.8% female, mean age 32.8 years) from randomized controlled trials of mindfulness interventions |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based programs other variations |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Interoception Psychological intervention Mindfulness meditation Mental health Randomized controlled trial |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based interventions produce a small-to-medium positive effect on self-reported interoception (g = 0.31), with mindfulness-based programs showing the largest effects (g = 0.41), and these improvements are related to reductions in psychological distress. |
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation training may cultivate interoceptive awareness and provide therapeutic benefit when implemented within mental and physical health interventions. This pre-registered meta-analysis evaluated the impact of mindfulness interventions on self-reported interoception measures and associated relationships with psychological outcomes. Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials with 2,191 participants (77.8% female, mean age 32.8 years) were meta-analyzed using correlated and hierarchical effects models. Interventions included mindfulness-based programs (k = 15), body-based approaches (incorporating elements like massage, k = 8), and other variations (k = 6). Five SIMs were tested; the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness was the most common (22 studies). Results showed a small-to-medium positive effect on interoception measures across all studies (g = 0.31, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.21, 0.42]) with low-to-moderate heterogeneity (τ = 0.16). Mindfulness-based programs demonstrated the largest effects (g = 0.41). No evidence of publication bias was found. No other moderators, such as practice dosage or clinical sample, were significant. Improvements in self-reported interoception were similar in size to improvements in self-reported mindfulness and were related to improvements in psychological distress. These meta-analytic findings provide evidence that mindfulness-based interventions lead to adaptive changes in the subjective experience of interoception, perhaps contributing to improved mental wellbeing.