Perspective Chapter: Mechanisms Underlying Complementary Therapies for Cognitive Enhancement
A. M. Roy, Sushil Prasad Mahato, Deepti Padmanabha Bhat, Subramanya Pailoor, Manickam Anjaladevi, Samiran Mondal
IntechOpen eBooks March 5, 2026 DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.1014004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Meditation Yoga Tai Chi/Qigong Breathwork Music-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Modalities Modality human–computer interaction Leverage statistics Perspective graphical Neurocognitive Mhealth Cognitive psychology Connectomics |
| Key findings | Mind-body therapies produce modest yet reliable improvements in attention, working memory, executive function, and cognitive flexibility across healthy and clinical populations. |
Abstract
Cognitive enhancement is increasingly pursued through complementary mind–body therapies that target fundamental brain–body mechanisms. This chapter synthesizes evidence for core modalities such as meditation and yoga, and additional approaches including Tai Chi/Qigong, breathwork, and music-based interventions. Across healthy and clinical populations, these therapies produce modest yet reliable improvements in attention, working memory, executive function, and cognitive flexibility, while offering meaningful adjunctive benefits in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. Convergent mechanisms involve enhanced self-regulation, fronto-limbic and large-scale network plasticity, vagal predominance with greater heart-rate variability, normalization of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and anti-inflammatory immune modulation. Movement-based practices engage neurovascular and sensorimotor systems, breathwork supports baroreflex and neurovisceral coupling, and music-based approaches leverage dopaminergic reward and social engagement. Implementation requires standardized curricula (e.g., MBSR, certified yoga therapy), trained instructors, safety monitoring, and adaptable delivery in clinical and educational settings. Emerging digital tools – such as mobile apps, virtual reality, wearables, and EEG/HRV feedback – enable scalable access and precision tracking. Future priorities include large longitudinal RCTs for dementia-risk reduction, multimodal mechanistic studies integrating connectomics and endocrine–immune biomarkers, and evaluation of synergistic combinations (e.g., exercise plus meditation or neurofeedback-integrated cognitive training).
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 21
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity Frontiers in Human Neuroscience October 9, 2018
- Impact of meditation training on the default mode network during a restful state Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience March 24, 2012
- Focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: effects on attention, conflict monitoring, and creativity – A review Frontiers in Psychology September 23, 2014
- Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience April 24, 2013
and 16 more in the library