No evidence for mindfulness intervention effects on metacognition in value-based decisions
Zarah Le Houcq Corbi, Kathrin Koch, Alexander Soutschek
Consciousness and Cognition September 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2026.104134 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-registered pre-test/post-test randomized controlled study Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy participants |
| Interventions | Mindfulness training Control training |
| Duration | 31 days |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness training, compared with a control training, produced no measurable change in decision making, confidence ratings, metacognitive sensitivity in intertemporal choice, or willingness to precommit against preference reversals. Bayes factors supported the null hypothesis over the alternative for all non-significant training effects. The authors suggest the hypothesized link between mindfulness and metacognition may be weaker than theoretical accounts assume. |
Abstract
Theoretical accounts posit that mindfulness and metacognition are closely linked. We therefore tested the hypothesis that mindfulness training improves metacognitive sensitivity in value-based decision making as well as the (metacognition-dependent) ability to anticipate preference reversals. In a pre-registered study following a pre-test/post-test design, healthy participants performed tasks measuring metacognitive sensitivity for decisions between smaller-sooner versus larger-later rewards and the ability to anticipate preference reversals after a mindfulness versus control training lasting 31 days. There was no evidence that the mindfulness training, relative to a control training, changed decision making, confidence ratings, or metacognitive sensitivity in the intertemporal choice task. Likewise, we observed no training effects on the willingness to prevent preference reversals via precommitment. For all non-significant training findings, Bayes factors support the null hypothesis (no influence of mindfulness training) over the alternative hypothesis. Taken together, our results provide no evidence that mindfulness training improves metacognitive skills in value-based choice (and even Bayesian evidence for a lack of mindfulness effects on metacognition), suggesting that the hypothesized link between metacognition and mindfulness might be weaker than assumed by theoretical accounts.
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 7
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Meditation Experience Predicts Introspective Accuracy PLoS One September 25, 2012
- Mindfulness meditation increases default mode, salience, and central executive network connectivity Scientific Reports August 2, 2022
- Effects of web-based mindfulness training on psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplasticity. Scientific Reports December 19, 2023
and 2 more in the library