Positive Health Online

Abstract

VAGO and COLLEAGUES, 1 Contemplative Neuroscience and Integrative Medicine (CNIM) Laboratory, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.  David.vago@vanderbilt.edu ; 2 Contemplative Neuroscience and Integrative Medicine (CNIM) Laboratory, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA; 3 Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA analyzed the results of three systematic reviews studying the impact of mindfulness upon cognitive outcomes.

Background

BACKGROUND: One potential pathway by which mindfulness-based meditation improves health outcomes is through changes in cognitive functioning.

Methodology

Here, we summarize and comment upon three systematic reviews conducted over the last seven years that have had the goal of identifying the impact of mindfulness on cognitive outcomes.

Results

In our analysis, we identified a number of methodological limitations and potential confounding factors that interfere with and limit our ability to interpret the results. In order to gain a granular view of the relationship between mindfulness training and cognition, we report on the following: 1) What do we know? How does mindfulness affect cognition? 2) variable criteria that define an MBI; 2) limitations of assays used to measure cognition; and 3) methodological quality of an MBI trial and reporting of findings.

Conclusion

Finally, we offer constructive means for interpretation and recommendations for moving the field of mindfulness research forward regarding effects on cognition.

References

David R Vago  1 , Resh S Gupta  2 , Sara W Lazar  3. Measuring cognitive outcomes in mindfulness-based intervention research: a reflection on confounding factors and methodological limitations. Curr Opin Psychol.;28:143-150. Epub 27 Dec 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.12.015.  Aug 2019.