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 (NOTE: This paper has not been peer reviewed.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.)

Depression and executive functioning bidirectionally impair one another across 9 years: Evidence from within-person latent change and cross-lagged models

“…Moreover, the field could benefit from continuing to test EF indices as reliable predictors or markers of treatment response for depression and anxiety, as suggested by various studies (e.g., [129,130]). Relatedly, based on recent evidence, such efforts might be augmented by investigating if cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) (e.g., behavioral activation, cognitive remediation, problem-solving therapy, personalized, environment-focused, and technology-facilitated CBTs) [131][132][133][134][135][136], mindfulness-based interventions [137], EF training [138], and pharmacological treatments [139], could simultaneously alleviate depression and enhance EF capacities.…”

Nature-based mindfulness-compassion programs using virtual reality for older adults: A narrative literature review

“…Findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses further corroborate this evidence, with support found for MBIs' ability to enhance positive mood, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality and decrease chronic insomnia (Hazlett-Stevens et al, 2019). Additionally, meta-analytic and review findings indicate substantial support for the beneficial effects of MBIs on memory, and executive functioning, in particular, processing speed, sustained attention accuracy, and subjective attentional control (Chan et al, 2019;Hazlett-Stevens et al, 2019;Zainal & Newman, 2020).…”

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