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This meta-analysis examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) on competitive anxiety in athletes. Eighteen controlled trials ( N = 667) from seven databases were included. Random-effects modeling revealed a moderate overall effect favoring MBI g = −0.53, 95% CI (−0.74, −0.32), I 2 = 63%, with greater reductions in cognitive anxiety ( g = −0.58) than somatic anxiety ( g = −0.41). Control type was the only statistically significant moderator ( p = 0.005): MBI showed moderate effects vs. waitlist controls ( g = −0.66) but near-zero effects vs. active controls ( g = −0.05). Total intervention hours did not significantly predict effect size (β = −0.025, p = 0.062). Trim-and-fill adjustment yielded g = −0.44. Because the active-control stratum contained only three comparisons, the near-zero estimate against active comparators should be treated as preliminary. The observed pattern is nevertheless compatible with the interpretation that the anxiety reduction attributable to MBI reflects, to a substantial extent, nonspecific intervention factors rather than mindfulness-specific mechanisms.
Chen et al. (Thu,) studied this question.