Mindfulness training may raise motivation that comes from within

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   The studies had 25,176 people, including students and working adults. Most (21,194) were in studies that only measured mindfulness and motivation.

2. 02

   What they did

   Most of the 21 training studies compared mindfulness training with a waiting group or another kind of training. Three had no comparison group. The 83 other studies only measured mindfulness and motivation.

3. 03

   What happened

   Mindfulness training raised motivation from within more than the other group did, a moderate effect. In four studies, training made no clear change in valuing an activity. In the 83 other studies, mindful people tended to do things more for enjoyment and less from inner pressure.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Mindfulness training raised motivation from within more than the other group did.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested

   Pooled analysis of 21 studies with 3,982 people · vs a waiting group or another kind of training · they rated themselves · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. No difference

   In four studies, mindfulness training made no clear change in valuing an activity.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested

   Pooled analysis of 4 studies · vs a waiting group or another kind of training · they rated themselves · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. No comparison

   People who were more mindful also tended to do things more for their own enjoyment.

   Pooled analysis of 36 studies · no comparison group · they rated themselves · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; the studies disagreed a lot; mixes trials with other kinds of study

4. No comparison

   People who were more mindful also tended to do things less from inner pressure.

   Pooled analysis of 12 studies · no comparison group · they rated themselves · ⚠ mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source