Effects of Vipassana meditation on cognitive functions: A review of attention, executive control, working memory, and neurocognitive mechanisms
Prem Kumar Karak, Mahesh Sawata Khetmalis, Gopal Chandra Saha
International Journal of Physiology Sports and Physical Education September 1, 2026 DOI: 10.33545/26647710.2026.v8.i9a.293 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Randomized Longitudinal Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Vipassana meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The reviewed evidence suggests Vipassana and closely related mindfulness practices may support attentional efficiency and executive control, with short-term interventions linked to improved reaction time and attention and experienced practitioners showing advantages in working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. The authors conclude the association is promising but not definitive, since small samples, cross-sectional comparisons, and heterogeneous protocols limit causal conclusions. |
Abstract
Vipassana meditation is an insight-oriented contemplative practice that emphasizes sustained observation of present-moment experience and non-reactive awareness. Interest in its possible cognitive effects has increased, yet the evidence is distributed across heterogeneous studies using different populations, interventions, and neurocognitive outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the relationship between Vipassana and cognitive functions, with emphasis on attention, reaction time, working memory, executive functioning, response inhibition, and neurophysiological correlates. The reviewed literature suggests that Vipassana and closely related mindfulness practices may support attentional efficiency and executive control, particularly when practice is sustained. Short-term interventions have been associated with improvements in reaction time and attention, whereas experienced practitioners have demonstrated advantages in working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. Electrophysiological and neuroimaging findings provide plausible mechanisms, including altered θ, α, and γ activity, improved stimulus processing, and changes in large-scale functional connectivity. However, causal conclusions remain limited because many studies involve small samples, cross-sectional comparisons, heterogeneous intervention protocols, and variable control conditions. The current evidence therefore supports a promising but not definitive association between Vipassana practice and cognitive enhancement. Future research should prioritize adequately powered randomized trials, standardized cognitive batteries, longitudinal follow-up, transparent reporting of meditation exposure, and careful differentiation between state and trait effects. Such work may clarify whether Vipassana can be developed as a practical complementary strategy for supporting cognitive health and performance.
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 |