Brief Pre-Exam Activities, Neural Activation, and Second-Language Test Performance: An fNIRS Study of Meditation, Music, and Social Media
International Journal of Cognitive Sciences April 29, 2026 Abigail Black, Dan P. Dewey, Teresa Bell et al.
Background/Objectives: Test anxiety can impair working memory, attention, and executive function, raising questions about what might increase cognitive readiness prior to testing. Methods: This study examined how brief meditation, social media use, and calming or upbeat music influence neural activity and performance on a second-language exam using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)....