Experimental Effects of Acute Exercise and Meditation on Parameters of Cognitive Function.
Meghan K. Edwards, Paul D Loprinzi
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 29, 2018 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7060125 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 66 |
| Population | Young adults, mean (SD) age 21 (2) years |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Duration | 10-minute walking and meditation bouts; cognition assessed before and after the intervention |
| Measures | Identification task, Set Shifting task, Stroop task, Trail Making task, subjective assessment of cognitive function |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Physical activity Walking Exercise psychology |
| Key findings | Combining brief aerobic exercise and meditation did not substantially affect cognitive function overall, with no significant group-by-time effects on most measures. A significant interaction appeared only for Stroop congruent trials, where reaction time decreased from baseline to post-intervention in both combination groups but not in the inactive control group. The authors suggest the combination may benefit certain aspects of cognition and call for research on different exercise and meditation doses. |
Abstract
Single bouts of aerobic exercise and meditation have been shown to improve cognitive function. Yet to be examined in the literature, we sought to examine the effects of a combination of acute bouts of aerobic exercise and meditation on cognitive function among young adults. Participants (n = 66, mean (SD) age = 21 (2)) were randomly assigned to walk then meditate, meditate then walk, or to sit (inactive control). All walking and meditation bouts were 10 min in duration. Participants' cognition was monitored before and after the intervention using Identification, Set Shifting, Stroop, and Trail Making tasks. Additionally, a subjective assessment of cognitive function was implemented before and after the intervention. Significant group by time interaction effects were observed when examining the Stroop congruent trials (P = 0.05). Post hoc paired t-tests revealed that reaction time significantly decreased from baseline to post-intervention in both combination groups (P < 0.001 for both), but not in the control group (P = 0.09). Regarding all other cognitive assessments, there were no significant group by time interaction effects (P > 0.05). Cognitive function was not substantially affected by a combination of brief meditation and exercise, though there is evidence to suggest that this combination may have beneficial effects on certain aspects of cognition. Future work should be conducted to evaluate the influences of different doses of exercise and meditation on cognitive functioning.
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 2
- Walking meditation versus balance training for improving balance abilities among older adults with history of fall: A randomized controlled trial Clinical Rehabilitation April 1, 2022
- Acute exercise and mindfulness meditation on learning and memory: randomized controlled intervention Health Promotion Perspectives November 26, 2019
Cites 5
- Mental and Physical (MAP) Training: a neurogenesis-inspired intervention that enhances health in humans. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory September 9, 2014
- Effect of meditation on cognitive functions in context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience January 27, 2014
- Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? A systematic review of neuropsychological findings. Clinical Psychology Review December 1, 2010
- Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: evidence of brief mental training. Consciousness and Cognition April 3, 2010
- Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences April 1, 2008