Enhancing shooting performance and cognitive engagement in virtual reality environments through brief meditation training.
Jia-Hui Guo, Xiao-Na Zhou, Hu-Ye Zhou, Chen-Wei Huang, Yi-Lin Wu, Hong Zheng, Yun-Zi Liu, Chun-Lei Jiang
Scientific Reports May 10, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-01462-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Participants performing a virtual reality shooting task |
| Intervention | Brief mindfulness meditation |
| Dose | 15-min daily |
| Duration | 18 days |
| Measures | Beta/(Alpha + Theta) ratio |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Virtual reality training Performance enhancement Marksmanship |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | The meditation group improved shooting scores by 6.56 points and showed a higher Beta/(Alpha + Theta) ratio in left frontal regions (AF3, AF7, Fp1) but not right regions, compared with the control group. The authors suggest that brief mindfulness meditation can improve both motor precision and mental focus. |
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation training has been associated with improved cognitive and sport performance, but the mechanisms linking mindfulness, cognitive engagement, and performance remain unclear, especially in simultaneous assessments during sports tasks. This study explored whether brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) training impacts shooting performance and cognitive engagement. We hypothesized that: (1) the meditation group would show improved shooting performance compared to the control group, and (2) daily 15-min mindfulness meditation would enhance cognitive engagement, reflected by brain activity. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to either an 18-day mindfulness meditation group or a control group. A virtual reality (VR) shooting task assessed performance before and after the intervention, while portable EEG devices recorded brain activity. The meditation group improved shooting scores by 6.56 points (p = 0.036) and showed a higher Beta/(Alpha + Theta) ratio-a marker of cognitive engagement reflecting greater focus and alertness versus relaxation-in left frontal regions (AF3, AF7, Fp1), but not right regions (AF4, AF8, Fp2). These findings suggest that BMM can improve both motor precision and mental focus, making it a valuable tool for athletes and professionals in high-precision fields such as surgery and aviation. Integrating short BMM sessions into training routines may help optimize focus and performance.
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
Cites 14
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Improving Health, Quality of Life, and Social Functioning in Adults Campbell Systematic Reviews 2012
and 9 more in the library