A meta-analysis of Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) show that MBIs are effective in reducing acute symptoms of depression but not anxiety.

Comments on an article Mindfulness-Based Interventions for People Diagnosed with a Current Episode of an Anxiety or Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials by Clara Strauss et al. (2014). Strauss et al. meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trial's (RCT) evaluated the effectiveness of using Mindfulness-Based Interventions's (MBI) in clients with a current episode of a depressive or anxiety disorder. They recommend the use of MBI in clients with a current depressive disorder, but not for anxiety or as a first line intervention. The article by Strauss et al. suggests that people meeting the diagnostic criteria for a current episode of a depressive disorder may benefit from MBI's. Effects were demonstrated for depressive symptom severity, but not for anxiety symptom severity, for RCTs with an inactive, but not where there was an active control and effects were found for MBCT. This paper is an important step in providing an evidence base to support MBI's. Occupational therapists are in a unique position to develop skills to deliver these types of interventions; however, we need to maintain our profession’s sense of purpose. It is not useful to teach someone to be mindful if consumers are unable to apply the skills to their everyday lives and across the environments and occupations they engage in.