Testing for an Effect of a Mindfulness Induction on Child Executive Functions.
Anna F Leyland, Lisa-Marie Emerson, Georgina Rowse
Mindfulness 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-018-0923-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 156 |
| Population | Children aged 4-7 years |
| Interventions | Mindfulness induction dot-to-dot activity |
| Duration | 3-minute mindfulness induction |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Children Executive function Experiment Induction |
| Key findings | A 3-minute mindfulness induction did not significantly affect children's executive function compared with a dot-to-dot activity, despite a slightly higher average composite EF score in the mindfulness group (M = 0.12 vs. M = -0.05). Behavioural difficulties significantly predicted 5.3% of the variance in EF performance. The authors suggest the null result is consistent with mixed findings from similar adult experiments. |
Abstract
Several sessions of mindfulness practice can exert positive gains for child executive functions (EF); however, the evidence for effects of a mindfulness induction, on EF for adults, is mixed and this effect has not been tested in children. The immediate effect of an age appropriate 3-min mindfulness induction on EF of children aged 4-7 years was tested. Participants (N = 156) were randomly assigned to a mindfulness induction or dot-to-dot activity comparison group before completing four measures of EF. A composite score for EF was calculated from summed z scores of the four EF measures. A difference at baseline in behavioural difficulties between the mindfulness induction and comparison group meant that data was analysed using a hierarchical regression. The mindfulness induction resulted in higher average performance for the composite EF score (M = 0.12) compared to the comparison group (M = - 0.05). Behavioural difficulties significantly predicted 5.3% of the variance in EF performance but participation in the mindfulness or comparison induction did not significantly affect EF. The non-significant effect of a mindfulness induction to exert immediate effects on EF fits within broader evidence reporting mixed effects when similar experimental designs have been used with adults. The findings are discussed with consideration of the extent to which methodological differences may account for these mixed effects and how mindfulness inductions fit within broader theoretical and empirical understanding of the effects of mindfulness on EF.
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 3
- For whom does a brief mindfulness induction work? An exploration of the moderating role of individual differences in the effect of mindfulness induction on executive functioning and mind-wandering BMC Psychology September 3, 2026
- The effects of mindfulness and cognitive strategy interventions on core symptoms in children with ADHD: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders October 1, 2025
- Using Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Support Self-regulation in Young Children: A Review of the Literature. Early childhood education journal March 21, 2022
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