What Confucius practiced is good for your mind: Examining the effect of a contemplative practice in Confucian tradition on executive functions.
Shan-Chuan Teng, Yunn-Wen Lien
Consciousness and Cognition May 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.03.016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Body-Mind Axial Awareness Chan-meditation |
| Duration | Month-long 12-h training period |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Executive function Mindfulness training Movement-based contemplative training The body-mind axis Ya-yue |
| Key findings | Body-Mind Axial Awareness training improved working memory capacity more than Chan-meditation and a waiting-list control, while Chan-meditation improved attentional switching compared to the control group. |
Abstract
The short-term training effects on various executive functions (EFs) by a movement-based contemplative practice (MBCP) are examined. Three aspects of EFs (working memory capacity, inhibition, switching) are assessed before and after a month-long 12-h training period using Body-Mind Axial Awareness (BMAA) principles that Confucius followers have practiced for more than 2000years. A mindfulness-based practice (Chan-meditation) and a waiting-list control group served as contrast groups. Our results showed that the BMAA group performed better on the task that measured working memory capacity than did the Chan-meditation and the waiting-list groups after training. In addition, the Chan-meditation groups outperformed the control group on attentional switching, a novel finding for this kind of practice. Our findings not only show a new effect of short-term MBCPs on EFs, but also indicate movement-based and mindfulness-based contemplative practices might benefit development of various aspects of EFs in different ways.
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 7
- The effectiveness of taught, self-help mindfulness-based interventions on Chinese adolescents' well-being, mental health, prosocial and difficult behavior, and coping strategy. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 1, 2024
- A randomized controlled trial examining a Tranquil sitting intervention compatible with Confucian values. Frontiers in Psychology July 3, 2023
- lived experience and transformational potential of 5 Rhythms dancing meditation Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology August 18, 2021
- From the body to the mind: interoception and sense of agency as mechanisms of depression reduction in the Body-Mind Axial Awareness (BMAA). Frontiers in Psychology April 7, 2026
- From body to mind: how body-mind axial awareness training enhances body awareness, mindfulness, positive embodiment and mental health in healthcare students. Health psychology and behavioral medicine 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 19
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- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering Psychological Science March 28, 2013
and 14 more in the library