This report presents results from a systematic review and meta-analyses of research examining how mindfulness meditation affects 13 performance-related outcomes of interest to the U.S. Army and broader military. The authors supplemented the systematic review by examining how mindfulness meditation could support stress management and exploring characteristics of selected mindfulness programs.

The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation Programs on Performance-Related Outcomes

Implications for the U.S. Army

Kimberly A. Hepner, Erika Litvin Bloom, Sydne J. Newberry, Jessica L. Sousa, Karen Chan Osilla, Marika Booth, Armenda Bialas, Carolyn M. Rutter

ResearchPublished May 10, 2022

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Although studies have suggested that mindfulness-based interventions might be effective in enhancing military readiness and resilience, this has not been rigorously evaluated. This report presents results from a systematic review and meta-analyses of research examining how mindfulness meditation affects 13 performance-related outcomes of interest to the U.S. Army and broader military. The authors supplemented the systematic review by examining how mindfulness meditation could support stress management and exploring characteristics of selected mindfulness programs. The goal was to develop recommendations for mindfulness meditation programs for soldiers, should the Army choose to implement such programs in the future. Findings suggest that mindfulness may improve some aspects of attention and emotion regulation, impulsivity, and work-related morale and social support. The available evidence does not suggest that mindfulness improves other outcomes of interest to the Army. Notably, mindfulness meditation programs reduce stress and may reduce parental stress, which could benefit Army families. Yet more research is needed to identify best practices for implementing mindfulness programs in the military. The authors recommend conducting high-quality evaluations of mindfulness meditation with soldiers and assessing the effect of mindfulness meditation on military families.

Key Findings

  • Mindfulness may improve some aspects of attention and emotion regulation, impulse control, and work-related morale and social support.
  • The available evidence does not suggest that mindfulness improves other outcomes of interest to the Army.
  • Mindfulness programs reduce stress and may reduce parental stress, which could benefit Army families.
  • More research is needed to identify best practices for implementing mindfulness programs in the military.

Recommendations

  • Conduct high-quality evaluations of mindfulness meditation with soldiers. The results of the systematic review indicate that there is not strong support for implementing mindfulness meditation programs Army-wide at this time. However, there was robust evidence for a medium-sized effect on reducing stress among civilian populations. The authors recommend that the Army conduct high-quality evaluations of mindfulness meditation before pursuing large-scale implementation. Such evaluations could help fill the evidence gap related to the impact of mindfulness meditation in military populations, identify best practices for implementation, and clarify the effects on individual and unit readiness and resilience. In particular, the authors provide explicit recommendations for designing studies of the rigorous quality needed to ensure that programs are effective and feasible before attempting large-scale implementation.
  • Assess the effect of mindfulness meditation on military families. Further research is needed to rigorously analyze the effect of mindfulness meditation on military families—particularly the effect on outcomes that are relevant to this population, such as relationship problems, parenting, and child outcomes. Additional studies or pilot evaluations of these interventions would provide additional guidance on whether they should be made more widely available. Decreasing stress and improving the well-being of military families is a high priority for the Army Resilience Directorate and the Department of Defense overall, and programs that enhance the well-being and resilience of families can have a significant impact on military readiness.

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Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2022
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 172
  • Paperback Price: $48.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 978-1-9774-0886-0
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA1522-1
  • Document Number: RR-A1522-1

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Hepner, Kimberly A., Erika Litvin Bloom, Sydne J. Newberry, Jessica L. Sousa, Karen Chan Osilla, Marika Booth, Armenda Bialas, and Carolyn M. Rutter, The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation Programs on Performance-Related Outcomes: Implications for the U.S. Army, RAND Corporation, RR-A1522-1, 2022. As of October 10, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1522-1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Hepner, Kimberly A., Erika Litvin Bloom, Sydne J. Newberry, Jessica L. Sousa, Karen Chan Osilla, Marika Booth, Armenda Bialas, and Carolyn M. Rutter, The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation Programs on Performance-Related Outcomes: Implications for the U.S. Army. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2022. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1522-1.html. Also available in print form.
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The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Army and conducted by the Personnel, Training, and Health Program within RAND Arroyo Center.

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