The Effect of Mindfulness-based Programs on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) on objective cognitive outcomes across multiple domains in adults through a meta-analysis of randomized studies.
Results Summary
The meta-analysis found small but significant effects favoring MBPs over comparators, particularly in executive function and working memory, with stronger effects observed in non-clinical samples and adults over 60. MBPs outperformed inactive but not active comparators, and limitations included unclear risk of bias in most studies.
Population
Adults, with subgroup analyses for non-clinical samples and those aged over 60.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | increase | cognitive outcomes across multiple domains | adults | g = 0.15; [0.05, 0.24] | favored over comparators | #1 |
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | increase | executive function | adults | g = 0.15; [0.02, 0.27] | outperformed comparators | #2 |
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | increase | working memory outcomes | adults | g = 0.23; [0.11, 0.36] | outperformed comparators | #3 |
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | increase | - | non-clinical samples | - | identified significant effects | #4 |
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | increase | - | adults aged over 60 | - | identified significant effects | #5 |
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | increase | - | - | - | outperformed | #6 |
Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) | no change | - | - | - | did not outperform | #7 |
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].