Mindfulness Enhances Cognitive Functioning: A Meta-Analysis of 111 Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: The past 30 years have witnessed growing scientific interest regarding the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on cognitive functions. Several theories propose that habitually exercising mindfulness skills can improve cognitive abilities, but no comprehensive quantitative reviews of the effect of MBIs on global and unique cognitive domains exist to date. Method: This systematic review thus examined the effects of MBI on global cognitive ability (GCA) and 16 specific cognitive domains. MBI randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that administered cognitive tests pre- and post-treatment were included. Open-trials, non-randomized MBIs, and case-control studies were excluded. Keywords included “mindful*,” AND “executive attention (EA),” OR “working memory (WM).” Robust variance estimation and moderator analyses were conducted. Results: Ninety-five RCTs (n = 7,408) met eligibility criteria. MBI (vs. waitlist or no-treatment) had small-to-moderate significant effects on GCA, WM accuracy, inhibition accuracy and latency, EA, sustained attention accuracy, processing speed, and subjective attentional control (SAC) (g = 0.24 – 0.52). Likewise, MBI (vs. active control) had small-to-moderate positive effects on GCA, orienting, EA, WM accuracy, sustained attention (indexed by intra-individual coefficient of variation), and SAC (average g = 0.17 – 0.41). Age, gender, study quality, treatment duration, publication year, retention, statistical analysis, and country, moderated some treatment effects. Publication bias analyses showed that reliable treatment effects were restricted to EA, WM accuracy, inhibition accuracy, sustained attention, and SAC, depending on the control group. Conclusion: MBIs confer notable neuropsychological benefits and dose-response effects on some specific (vs. global) cognitive domains. Limitations, theoretical, and applied implications are discussed. (Note: This paper has not been peer reviewed. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission.)

Treatment condition as a moderator and change in trait mindfulness as a mediator of a brief mindfulness ecological momentary intervention for generalized anxiety disorder

“…Interestingly, although there were no significant between-group differences, it is worth noting that within-group analyses of change revealed that MEMI, unlike SM, improved pre-post observing, describing, and acting with awareness, while also reducing judgment and reactivity. These findings might be explained by evidence suggesting that MBIs, compared to active controls, were more effective in enhancing state and trait attentional skills [91], executive functioning [92], and emotional clarity [93]. Encouragingly, prior research has shown improvement in all these mindfulness domains following an 8-week MBSR course compared to a waitlist in healthy controls [52], suggesting that similar benefits might extend to 14-day MEMIs for individuals with GAD.…”

Overlap of eating disorders and neurodivergence: the role of inhibitory control

“…Improved understanding of these neurocognitive processes may lead to more targeted interventions [120][121][122][123][124]. Mindfulness based interventions have been associated with small improvements in inhibitory control accuracy, resulting in less mind wandering [124].…”

“…Improved understanding of these neurocognitive processes may lead to more targeted interventions [120][121][122][123][124]. Mindfulness based interventions have been associated with small improvements in inhibitory control accuracy, resulting in less mind wandering [124]. Global EF improvements have also been found in AN and autism after undergoing cognitive remediation therapy, which may improve treatment responsiveness [120][121][122][123].…”

Does Brief Focused Attention and Open Monitoring Meditation Affect the Attentional Blink?

“…Studies which claim that mindfulness training can affect various aspects of cognition (Zainal & Newman, 2020) would benefit from similar replications. This would improve the evidence base which underpins the theoretical accounts of how mindfulness produces its beneficial effects, and could improve the effectiveness of mindfulness based interventions (Zhang et al, 2021).…”