By the numbers
Published research finds traditional meditation retreats moderately effective, with a pooled effect size of 0.49 compared with controls in a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Last updated: November 2026
A systematic review and meta-analysis indexed on PubMed found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective: a Hedge's g of 0.45 in pre-post analyses across 19 studies and 0.49 against controls across 14 studies. This page, compiled by Andrew Keaveney, collects those figures with their sources so you can read the originals yourself.
Published figures
0.49
Hedge’s g for traditional meditation retreats compared with controls (14 studies; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.61)
Source: Effectiveness of traditional meditation retreats: a systematic review and meta-analysis0.45
Hedge’s g for traditional meditation retreats in pre-post analyses (19 studies; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.54)
Source: Same meta-analysis, via ScienceDirect50%
Share of improvements in outcomes predicted by mindfulness levels, which strongly moderated effect sizes
Source: Same meta-analysis, author manuscript at UCL Discovery61.6%
Share of surveyed practitioners who meditate daily
Source: 2026 Meditation Practice Report, Mindful Leader (May 12, 2026)36.2%
Share of practitioners for whom 10 to 20 minutes is the session length, the most common choice
Source: 2026 Meditation Practice Report, Mindful Leader (May 12, 2026)Reading the numbers
Hedge's g is a standardized effect size. The meta-analysis authors describe their results as showing that traditional meditation retreats are moderately effective. The same review found mindfulness levels strongly moderated clinical effect sizes, predicting 50% of improvements in outcomes.
These are findings about traditional meditation retreats in general, not a study of Andrew Keaveney's programs. Individual results vary, and a retreat is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.
| Analysis | Studies | Hedge’s g | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-post (before vs after retreat) | 19 | 0.45 | 0.35 to 0.54 |
| Retreat vs control groups | 14 | 0.49 | 0.36 to 0.61 |
Curious to try one? See the meditation retreat with Andrew Keaveney in Boone, NC.
FAQ
Published research suggests they help. A systematic review and meta-analysis indexed on PubMed found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective, with a Hedge’s g of 0.45 in pre-post analyses across 19 studies and 0.49 when compared with controls across 14 studies. Results vary by person, and a retreat is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.
Many people go on retreat to reset from stress, and a published meta-analysis found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective overall. Andrew has also made films on burnout, including Stemming Student Burnout with SKY. A retreat is not medical treatment, so anyone managing a health condition should speak with their healthcare provider first.
A weekend meditation retreat is long enough to learn practices, rest and feel a change of pace, though longer retreats allow more depth. Andrew’s Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs Thursday, Nov 5 to Sunday, Nov 8, 2026, which covers a long weekend. It is a practical choice when a week away is not realistic.
They serve different needs. Online classes are convenient and repeatable at home, while an in-person retreat removes daily distractions and gives you several days of guided practice in one place. Many people use online resources to keep a practice going after a retreat, and Andrew’s free podcasts and films can help between programs.
A meditation retreat is a stretch of days set aside to learn and practice meditation away from everyday routines, usually with a teacher guiding the sessions. Andrew Keaveney leads residential breathwork and meditation retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, where guests stay on site for the length of the program.
Keep reading
See Andrew's upcoming residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
