The Four Immeasurables Meditations (FIM) intervention have been shown as a promising intervention for reducing depressive symptoms. The current study is a systematic review of FIM intervention effects on depressive symptoms. Among 192 empirical research articles on FIM published before May 2019, 40 independent trials from 35 records measured depressive symptoms. The meta-analysis included 21 randomized controlled trials (RCT; n = 1468) and 16 uncontrolled trials (n = 376). The results supported overall effectiveness of FIM on depressive symptoms (d = 0.38 for RCT and d = 0.87 for uncontrolled trials). Moderator analysis indicated the effects differed across protocols, and effects were smaller in RCT using active control groups. No significant differences were observed for participant type, measures, intervention length, or intervention components. Individual studies found no direct association between meditation practice time and effects, and mindfulness and self-compassion were widely supported as mechanisms of change. Current evidence supports FIM as an effective intervention for reducing depressive symptoms, but additional studies with more rigorous designs using active control groups are needed. Further investigation should be encouraged regarding specific protocols and participants, the contribution of meditation practice, and other mechanisms such as positive emotions.

四种不可思议的冥想（FIM）干预措施已被证明是减轻抑郁症状的有前途的干预措施。当前的研究是对FIM干预对抑郁症状的影响的系统综述。在2019年5月之前发表的192篇有关FIM的经验研究文章中，来自35项记录的40项独立试验测量了抑郁症状。荟萃分析包括21项随机对照试验（RCT；n  = 1468）和16项非对照试验（n  = 376）。结果支持FIM对抑郁症状的总体有效性（ RCT和d = d = 0.38） = 0.87（非对照试验）。主持人分析表明，不同方案的效果不同，使用活动对照组的RCT效果更小。没有观察到参与者类型，测量，干预时间或干预组成部分的显着差异。个别研究发现，冥想练习时间和效果之间没有直接关联，正念和同情心被广泛认为是改变的机制。目前的证据支持FIM作为减轻抑郁症状的有效干预措施，但是需要使用活动对照组进行更严格设计的其他研究。应鼓励进一步研究具体方案和参与者，冥想练习的贡献以及其他机制，例如积极情绪。