The Effect of Mindfulness-based Programs on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Tim Whitfield, Thorsten Barnhofer, Rebecca L. Acabchuk, Avi Cohen, Michael Lee, Marco Schlosser, Eider M. Arenaza‐Urquijo, Adriana Böttcher, Willoughby B. Britton, Nina Coll‐Padrós, Fabienne Collette, Gaël Chételat, Sophie Dautricourt, Harriet Demnitz‐King, Travis Dumais, Olga Klimecki, Dix Meiberth, Inès Moulinet, Theresa Müller, E. Marie Parsons, Lauren Sager, Lena Sannemann, Jodi Scharf, Ann‐Katrin Schild, Edelweiss Touron, Miranka Wirth, Zuzana Walker, Ethan Moitra, Antoine Lutz, Sara W. Lazar, David R. Vago, Natalie L. Marchant
Neuropsychology Review August 4, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-021-09519-y via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness-based programs (MBPs) show a small but significant benefit for cognitive performance, particularly for executive function and working memory, according to a meta-analysis of 56 randomized controlled trials involving 2,931 adults. The overall effect favoring MBPs over comparators was small (g = 0.15). Benefits were strongest for non-clinical samples and adults over 60, and when MBPs were compared to inactive controls rather than active ones. No significant effects were found for other cognitive domains. Most studies had unclear risk of bias, and some statistical results were unreliable. The findings partially support the idea that mindfulness practice can enhance certain cognitive abilities.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,931 |
| Population | Adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based programs |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Cognition Subgroup analysis Neuropsychology |
| Citations | 193 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based programs produced small but statistically significant improvements in executive function and working memory compared to control conditions. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) are increasingly utilized to improve mental health. Interest in the putative effects of MBPs on cognitive function is also growing. This is the first meta-analysis of objective cognitive outcomes across multiple domains from randomized MBP studies of adults. Seven databases were systematically searched to January 2020. Fifty-six unique studies (n = 2,931) were included, of which 45 (n = 2,238) were synthesized using robust variance estimation meta-analysis. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses evaluated moderators. Pooling data across cognitive domains, the summary effect size for all studies favored MBPs over comparators and was small in magnitude (g = 0.15; [0.05, 0.24]). Across subgroup analyses of individual cognitive domains/subdomains, MBPs outperformed comparators for executive function (g = 0.15; [0.02, 0.27]) and working memory outcomes (g = 0.23; [0.11, 0.36]) only. Subgroup analyses identified significant effects for studies of non-clinical samples, as well as for adults aged over 60. Across all studies, MBPs outperformed inactive, but not active comparators. Limitations include the primarily unclear within-study risk of bias (only a minority of studies were considered low risk), and that statistical constraints rendered some p-values unreliable. Together, results partially corroborate the hypothesized link between mindfulness practices and cognitive performance. This review was registered with PROSPERO [CRD42018100904].