Ego-depletion and motor skill performance under pressure-experimental effects of a short term virtual-reality based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback.
Matthias Wagner, Alissa Wieczorek
Scientific Reports July 30, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68043-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Counterbalanced cross-over trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | Basketball players (Experiment 1, N=18) and football players (Experiment 2, N=16) |
| Intervention | Virtual reality-based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback |
| Duration | 15 min intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Biofeedback virtual reality Breathing-meditation Self-control Sports performance Stroop-effect |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | A 15-minute virtual reality-based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback counteracted ego-depletion effects and improved motor skill performance under pressure compared to a resting break. |
Abstract
Ego-depletion describes a state of mind, where the capacity for self-control is temporarily depleted after a primary self-control action. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a brief virtual reality-based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback can be considered an effective strategy to counteract the detrimental effects of ego depletion on motor skill performance under pressure. The study included two experiments, each of them designed as counterbalanced cross-over trials and based on an a priori sample-size calculation. Within each experiment, participants completed two appointments in a randomly assigned order, during which they were asked to perform 20 basketball free throws (N = 18; Experiment 1) or 20 penalty kicks at a football goal in four target squares (N = 16; Experiment 2) under pressure pre and post the following conditions: Stroop-test-induced ego depletion followed by a 15 min resting break, Stroop-test-induced ego depletion followed by a 15 min virtual reality-based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback. Results indicate that, in comparison to a resting break, a brief virtual reality-based mindfulness meditation with integrated biofeedback can counteract the detrimental effects of ego-depletion (Experiment 2) and enhance motor skill performance under pressure (Experiment 1, 2) Implications for researchers and practitioners are derived in light of the identified methodological limitations.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Human-Computer Co-Regulation: A Review of Biofeedback for Meditative Practice Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies September 30, 2026
- Understanding the role of rhythm: Effects of VR-based breathing meditation on anxiety, stress, and mindfulness Computers in Human Behavior Reports June 16, 2026
- Do brief mindfulness-based interventions improve sport-related performance? A systematic review Frontiers in Public Health February 5, 2026
- Mindfulness training modulates EEG oscillations and improves shooting accuracy in competitive stress. Frontiers in Psychology May 18, 2026
- Exploring the Impact of Sensory Conflict on State Mindfulness in VR Meditation Training International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems April 13, 2026
Cites 7
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Self-Control Strength and Mindfulness in Physical Exercise Performance: Does a Short Mindfulness Induction Compensate for the Detrimental Ego Depletion Effect? Journal of Applied Sport Psychology May 4, 2018
- Achtsamkeit und Akzeptanz Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie October 1, 2011
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Promoting Athletic Performance and Related Factors among Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 22, 2023
and 2 more in the library