A Systematic Review to Identify Targets of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Cardiovascular Risk to Enhance Engagement with Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a persistent public health challenge and racial/ethnic minority populations experience disparities in CVD risk factors. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been examined as a strategy to address CVD risk factors, though their potential for implementation with racial and ethnic minorities remains unclear.

This review examines primary intervention studies testing the impact of MBI on CVD risk, with a focus on critical appraisal of implementation characteristics (i.e., intervention design, delivery, uptake, and contextual factors) relevant to the engagement of racial/ethnic minority populations.

A systematic review identified 30 studies published through January 2022 for inclusion. Included studies were randomized controlled trials testing meditation or mindfulness-based interventions against any control to measure change or improvement in cardiovascular health measures or risk behaviors in adults living in the US or territories. The Oxford Implementation Index was utilized to identify and extract relevant implementation data, and critical analysis of each study’s implementation process was conducted.

All identified studies were published between 2011 and 2021 and represent early or pilot stages of research. As such, limitations and barriers in implementation strategies for racial/ethnic minority populations were identified. This review outlines several potential targets for future research to enhance engagement with racial/ethnic minorities.

Trial Registration.

PROSPERO CRD42019141454.