The impact of a pre-operative mindfulness exercise on early laparoscopic skill acquisition and self-perceived performance in novice learners
Kassim Ahman
Journal of Surgical Simulation September 16, 2026 DOI: 10.1102/2051-7726.2026.0002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Medical students (novice learners) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness body scan Neutral audio recording |
| Duration | Single session; three baseline and three post-intervention trials |
| Measures | task completion time, instrument tracking metrics, NASA-TLX |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A single 5-minute mindfulness body scan was associated with slower early laparoscopic skill acquisition: controls improved task completion time and instrument smoothness, while the mindfulness group did not. Despite this, mindfulness participants rated their own performance significantly higher than controls, indicating a dissociation between objective outcomes and self-assessment. |
Abstract
Background: Surgeons often operate in high-stress environments, where elevated stress levels can impair performance.Mindfulness has shown promise in regulating stress in experienced clinicians and high-pressure environments.However, its effects on early technical skill acquisition and self-perception in novice learners remain unclear.This study investigated whether a brief pre-task mindfulness exercise could influence early laparoscopic skill acquisition and selfperception in novices.Methods: Thirty medical students were assigned either to a mindfulness group (n ¼ 15) or a control group (n ¼ 15).All completed three baseline trials of a validated laparoscopic peg-threading task.The intervention consisted of a 5-minute body scan (a mindfulness exercise focusing attention on different body parts) while the control group listened to a neutral audio recording.Both groups then performed three further post-intervention trials.Performance metrics including task completion time and instrument tracking metrics were measured during all tasks.Subjective workload was assessed using the NASA-TLX (National Aeronautics and Space Administration task load index).Results: Control group participants became significantly swifter at task completion when comparing baseline performance to their final trial (P ¼ 0.002).The mindfulness group did not achieve a significant time improvement.The control group also showed significant improvement in instrument movement smoothness (P ¼ 0.021), whereas the mindfulness group did not.Despite their objective performance, participants in the mindfulness group rated their own performance significantly higher than those in the control group (P ¼ 0.047) on the NASA-TLX.Conclusions: A single-session mindfulness body scan was associated with slower early skill acquisition when compared with controls.Despite slower objective skill acquisition, participants who undertook the mindfulness exercise reported significantly higher perceived performance, highlighting a dissociation between objective outcomes and self-assessment.
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 |