Measuring cognitive outcomes in mindfulness-based intervention research: a reflection on confounding factors and methodological limitations.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to analyze the impact of mindfulness on cognitive outcomes by reviewing systematic reviews and identifying methodological limitations in mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) studies.
Results Summary
The study identified methodological limitations and confounding factors in mindfulness research, highlighting variable criteria for MBIs, limitations in cognitive assays, and trial quality issues. It offered recommendations for improving future research on mindfulness and cognition.
Population
Not specified (review of systematic reviews)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based meditation | increase | health outcomes | - | - | improves | #1 |
mindfulness-based meditation | increase | cognitive functioning | - | - | changes | #2 |
mindfulness | neutral | cognitive outcomes | - | - | identifying the impact | #3 |
mindfulness training | neutral | cognition | - | - | relationship | #4 |
mindfulness | neutral | cognition | - | - | affect | #5 |
One potential pathway by which mindfulness-based meditation improves health outcomes is through changes in cognitive functioning. Here, we summarize and comment upon three systematic reviews conducted over the last seven years that have had the goal of identifying the impact of mindfulness on cognitive outcomes. In our analysis, we identified a number of methodological limitations and potential confounding factors that interfere with and limit our ability to interpret the results. In order to gain a granular view of the relationship between mindfulness training and cognition, we report on the following: 1) What do we know? How does mindfulness affect cognition? 2) variable criteria that define an MBI; 2) limitations of assays used to measure cognition; and 3) methodological quality of an MBI trial and reporting of findings. Finally, we offer constructive means for interpretation and recommendations for moving the field of mindfulness research forward regarding effects on cognition.