Effect of a Single Session of a Yogic Meditation Technique on Cognitive Performance in Medical Students: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract

Medical students confront enormous academic, psychosocial, and existential stress throughout their training, leading to a cascade of consequences both physically and psychologically. The declined cognitive function of these students interferes in their academic performance and excellence. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a yogic meditation technique, mind sound resonance technique (MSRT), on cognitive functions of University Medical students in a randomized, two-way crossover study. In total, 42 healthy volunteers of both genders (5 males and 37 females) with mean age of 19.44 ± 1.31 years were recruited from a medical college in South India, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A 10-day orientation in the technique of MSRT was given to all the recruited subjects after which each subject underwent both MSRT and supine rest (SR) sessions. All participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a session of either MSRT or SR. After a day of washout, participants crossed over to receive the alternative intervention. The cognitive functions were assessed using 2 paper-pencil tasks called Digit Letter Substitution Test (DLST) and Six-Letter Cancelation Task (SLCT), before and immediately after both sessions. Both the groups showed significant improvement in net attempt of both DLST and SLCT, but the magnitude of change was more in the MSRT group than in the SR group. The MSRT group demonstrated significantly enhanced net scores in both SLCT (p < 0.001) and DLST (p < 0.001). The result of the present study suggests that a single session of MSRT, a Mind-Body Practice, may positively impact the performance in cognitive tasks by the University Medical Students.

Immediate effects of yoga breathing with intermittent breath holding on response inhibition among healthy volunteers

“…[ 2 ] Several studies indicate the beneficial effects of yoga practices on the cognitive abilities. [ 3 4 5 6 ]…”

Yoga: A strategy to cope up stress and enhance wellbeing among medical students

“…Various practices of yoga have been found beneficial to attenuate stress and enhance functionality among medical students. Despite an array of coping strategies, yoga practices are found to reduce perceived stress,[ 2 3 4 5 ] anxiety,[ 4 6 7 8 ] markers of stress such as cortisol,[ 9 ] improved general health and well-being,[ 5 10 11 ] physical and physiological health,[ 6 12 13 ] improve cognition[ 14 ] as well as cultivation of positive emotions[ 2 3 7 ] such as empathy, compassion, and self-regulation. There is evidence of a reduction in work-related stress and better autonomic balance with the practice of yoga in health professionals.…”

“…The practices that are safely used in the wellbeing of student community include asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), dhyana (meditation), mindfulness-based stress relaxation, and mind sound resonance technique (MSRT). [ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 18 ] These techniques were used either as standalone modality in a combination or even as an adjunct program within the frame of medical curricula. The possible mechanisms involved with the beneficial effects of yoga among medical students include autonomic balance, relaxation, better emotional status, and self-care behavior.…”

A yoga program for cognitive enhancement

“…They found significantly improved WMS scores following both yoga-based relaxation techniques. Additionally, a randomized trial with healthy adults ( N = 42) found that a single session of a yogic meditation technique significantly enhanced WM task scores [ 36 ]. Repeated practice of attentional focus and redirecting attention may be a possible active ingredient for developing greater attentional control [ 37 , 38 ].…”