Comparing the effects of sitting meditation and body scan on working memory in undergraduate healthcare students: a single-blind randomised trial.
Weeranan Yaemrattanakul, Kanokwan Manachamni, Jutharat Ruangrattanapong, Worawadee Supajumroon, Worravat Intarapakdee, Kanokwalin Klangkhong, Kanjanaporn Wannasangthong, Nureeda Madhay, Patchanee Kaewkeaw, Korawat Paphatarinan, Lalita Khuna
BMC Psychology June 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-04923-6 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBoth sitting meditation and body scan, practiced for 10 minutes daily over four weeks, were associated with improvements in working memory and mindfulness among undergraduate healthcare students aged 18-25. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two mindfulness exercises on any outcome, including stress, which showed only slight changes over time. The study suggests that brief, audio-guided mindfulness practices may benefit cognitive function and mindfulness in this population, but neither technique proved superior to the other.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 54 |
| Population | Undergraduate healthcare students aged 18-25 at a tertiary university in southern Thailand |
| Interventions | Sitting meditation Body scan |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Keywords | Body scan Sitting meditation Stress Working memory |
| Key finding | Both sitting meditation and body scan were associated with changes in working memory and mindfulness over time, but no significant between-group differences were observed in any outcome. |
Abstract
Healthcare undergraduate students often face high cognitive and emotional stress, negatively affecting their working memory and well-being. Mindfulness-based practices, such as sitting meditation and body scan, are proposed to enhance cognitive function and reduce stress in this population. This study compared the effects of brief sitting meditation and body scan on working memory, mindfulness, and stress among undergraduate healthcare students. In this assessor-blind randomised trial conducted at a tertiary university in southern Thailand, 56 healthcare undergraduates (aged 18-25) were randomised to either a sitting meditation group (n = 28) or a body scan group (n = 28). Fifty-four participants completed the study and were included in the final analysis (n = 27 per group). Participants practised their assigned mindfulness exercise via audio recordings for 10 min daily, five days a week, for four weeks. Outcomes were measured pre- and post-intervention using the Automated Operation Span Task for working memory, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for mindfulness, and Thai Perceived Stress Scale-10 for stress. Both groups showed significant changes in working memory and mindfulness over time. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two interventions. Stress scores changed slightly over time; however, no significant difference was observed between the sitting meditation and body scan groups. Overall, no significant between-group differences were found in any outcome. Both sitting meditation and body scan were associated with changes in working memory and mindfulness over time among undergraduate healthcare students. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups.