Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Oct 1, 2025
Date Accepted: May 31, 2026
The effectiveness and exploratory cost-effectiveness of regular meditation on quality of life: Protocol of a prospective longitudinal cohort study
ABSTRACT
Background:
In recent decades, millions of people globally have taken up Buddhist spiritual and secularised meditation practices, such as mindfulness, with the aim of improving their quality of life and wellbeing. Practitioners are recommended to continue meditating regularly long term, however the effects of regular meditation practice after introductory instruction remain scientifically underexplored.
Objective:
In this protocol, we aim to investigate whether regular mediation practice improves quality of life (primary outcome) and mental wellbeing, and whether the effect varies between secular and spiritual practitioners. We will also examine the cost-effectiveness of meditation in terms of quality of life, and the incidence and functional impact of any adverse effects associated with the practice.
Methods:
We will conduct a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 600 beginner meditators in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and UK, over one year, with sampling of primary and secondary outcomes at monthly interval. RESULTS
Results:
Data collection is projected to being in late October 2025, and results to be published in March 2027.
Conclusions:
Results of this investigation will illuminate the impact of meditation as it is currently practiced in natural contexts, and inform clinicians on whether and how regular meditation may be an effective tool for improving quality of life.
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Copyright
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