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Background: Mindfulness-based approaches are gaining increasing importance in medicine and psychology. Mindfulness has been described as the intentional and non-judgemental regulation of attention on inner and outer experiences in the present moment. It has been claimed to be conducive to health., Methods: Based on an electronic literature review, the concept of mindfulness and related approaches in medicine and behavioral psychology are described. This article provides an overview of the status of current research, including randomized trials up to September 2008. The current status of research is summarized regarding effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of mindfulness-based approaches., Results and Conclusion: In spite of methodical flaws of the studies reviewed, numerous findings suggest that mindfulness-based approaches are beneficial in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. In order to further assess specific effects and underlying mechanisms of mindfulness, additional randomized trials have to be conducted which include adequate control interventions., ((c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)