The effects of intensive mindfulness interventions on athletes’ psychological states and cognitive performance: an fNIRS study
Yunting Song, Jiaxiu Zhang, Shukurjon Gaziev, Jasur Zarifbayev, Rashid Matkarimov, Pin Zhong, Yuanze Cheng, Mingqiang Xiang
BMC Psychology March 9, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-04323-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Elite badminton athletes |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training |
| Duration | 10-day intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Psychological intervention Task project management Randomized controlled trial Mind-wandering Cognitive training Intervention counseling Clinical psychology Cognitive therapy Athletes Cognitive psychology Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex Executive functions Developmental psychology Martial arts |
| Key findings | Short-term intensive mindfulness training did not significantly improve executive task accuracy or reaction time but was associated with reduced hemodynamic response and increased neural efficiency in the right vlPFC under low cognitive load. |
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial examined whether short-term intensive mindfulness training is associated with changes in executive task performance and prefrontal hemodynamic responses in elite athletes. Twenty-eight elite badminton athletes were randomly assigned to a 10-day mindfulness intervention or an active control (regular training plus neutral video viewing). Before and after the intervention, athletes completed the Tower of London (TOL) task while prefrontal responses were recorded using fNIRS; task accuracy (ACC) and reaction time (RT) were assessed. Neural responses were quantified using Hbdiff (HbO–HbR) and a neural efficiency (NE) index, and mindfulness was assessed with the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The intervention group showed increased FFMQ scores, but no significant Group × Time interaction was observed for TOL-related ACC or RT. Under low cognitive load, CH15 (right vlPFC) showed a lower hemodynamic response, and the CH15 NE index showed a higher NE index than the control group; the CH15 (right vlPFC) response was positively associated with RT. These findings add to evidence on mindfulness-related modulation of vlPFC (CH15) responses under low cognitive load during executive task performance, although the absence of robust behavioral changes warrants cautious interpretation.
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 22
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Neural mechanisms of attentional control in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience 2013
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function Neuropsychobiology 2013
and 17 more in the library