Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Course on Learning and Cognitive Performance among University Students in Taiwan.
Ho-Hoi Ching, Malcolm Koo, Tsung-Huang Tsai, Chiu-Yuan Chen
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine November 10, 2015 DOI: 10.1155/2015/254358 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pre/posttest study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 282 |
| Population | First-year Taiwanese university students |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation course |
| Duration | One semester |
| Measures | College Learning Effectiveness Inventory (CLEI), computer software program focused on specific cognitive tasks (digital vigilance task, choice reaction time, spatial working memory) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A one-semester mindfulness meditation course was associated with significantly higher scores on the full College Learning Effectiveness Inventory (CLEI) and better performance on several computer-based cognitive tasks (digital vigilance accuracy and reaction time, choice reaction time, spatial working memory), though none of the nine CLEI subscales showed significant differences. The authors conclude the course improved learning effectiveness and attention and memory aspects of cognitive performance. |
Abstract
Mindfulness training has recently gained much research interest because of its putative benefits for both mental and physical health. However, little is available in its effects on Asian students. Therefore, a quasi-experimental pre/posttest design was used to assess the effects of a one-semester mindfulness meditation course in 152 first-year Taiwanese university students and compared with 130 controls. The Chinese version of the College Learning Effectiveness Inventory (CLEI) and a computer software program focused on specific cognitive tasks were used for the evaluation. Results from the analysis of covariance revealed that while the score of the full CLEI scale was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control (P = 0.022), none of the comparisons between the nine CLEI subscales were significantly different between the two groups. For the computer cognitive tasks, the intervention group exhibited significantly better performance in the accuracy of the digital vigilance task (P = 0.048), choice reaction time (P = 0.004), spatial working memory (P = 0.042), and digital vigilance task reaction time (P = 0.004). This study showed that a one-semester mindfulness meditation course was able to improve learning effectiveness and both attention and memory aspects of cognitive performance among Taiwanese university students.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Mindfulness and Coaching to Improve Learning Abilities in University Students: A Pilot Study International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health March 16, 2020
- The influences of mindfulness on high-stakes mathematics test achievement of middle school students Frontiers in Psychology April 6, 2023
- Meditation, Mindfulness, and Critical Thinking: Individual Characteristics in Online Higher Education. Journal of Psychology and Cognition 2017
- Effects of mindfulness breathing meditation on stress and cognitive functions: a heart rate variability and eye-tracking study Scientific Reports October 24, 2025
- Does Meditation Improve Cognition Through Sleep? November 19, 2022
and 9 more in the library
Cites 13
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing relapse in recurrent depression: A randomized dismantling trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 3, 2013
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia Sleep August 29, 2014
- Effects of Brief and Sham Mindfulness Meditation on Mood and Cardiovascular Variables The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine July 28, 2010
- Greater efficiency in attentional processing related to mindfulness meditation Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology September 29, 2009
- “Mind the Trap”: Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive Rigidity PLoS One May 15, 2012
and 8 more in the library