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. 2023 May 12;2023(5):CD002892. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002892.pub6

Comparison 1. ‘Focus one’s attention on the experience of stress (thoughts, feelings, behaviour)’ vs No intervention/wait list/placebo/no stress‐reduction intervention (SMD).

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1.1 Any symptoms of stress‐related outcome (follow‐up up to 3 months after the end of the intervention) 41 3645 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.37 [‐0.52, ‐0.23]
1.1.1 No intervention 29 2434 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.35 [‐0.53, ‐0.16]
1.1.2 Wait list  9 619 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.52 [‐0.80, ‐0.25]
1.1.3 Placebo  1 436 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.02 [‐0.21, 0.16]
1.1.4 No stress‐reduction intervention 2 156 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.33 [‐1.19, 0.53]
1.2  Any symptoms of stress‐related outcome (follow‐up > 3 to 12 months after the end of the intervention) 19 1851 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.43 [‐0.71, ‐0.14]
1.2.1 No intervention 11 1271 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.46 [‐0.90, ‐0.02]
1.2.2 Wait list 6 480 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.53 [‐0.83, ‐0.24]
1.2.3 No stress reduction intervention 2 100 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.16 [‐0.23, 0.56]
1.3 Any symptoms of stress‐related outcome (follow‐up >12 months) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.4 Psychological symptoms: anxiety and depression (follow‐up up to 3 months after the end of the intervention) 8 742 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.27 [‐0.58, 0.03]
1.4.1 No intervention 7 482 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.28 [‐0.68, 0.11]
1.4.2 Wait list 1 260 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.28 [‐0.53, ‐0.04]
1.5 Psychological symptoms: anxiety and depression (follow‐up > 3 to 12 months after the end of the intervention) 3   Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.5.1 No intervention 3   Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.6 Explanatory analysis ‐ subgroup  (short vs long duration of intervention): any symptoms of stress‐related outcome (follow‐up up to 3 months after the end of the intervention) 41 3645 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.37 [‐0.52, ‐0.23]
1.6.1 Short (< 12weeks) 29 2647 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.32 [‐0.49, ‐0.15]
1.6.2 Long (≥ 12 weeks) 12 998 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.50 [‐0.78, ‐0.22]