Objectives As the application of mindfulness interventions (MIs) continues to grow, its utility extends beyond mental health treatment, showing cognitive benefits for athletes, including increased focus, reduced distractions, and enhanced task efficiency. The integration of MI into cognitive neuroscience has practical implications for addressing various cognitive and behavioral challenges. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the impact of MIs on cognitive function in athletes, investigating whether it yielded measurable effects in this specific population. Methods A comprehensive search across five prominent online databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) focused only on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), assessing the influence of MI on cognitive function (mindfulness level, attention, inhibitory control, and neuroelectric indices) in athletes. Results Twelve RCTs, comprising a total sample size of 635 cases, were included in the analysis. Participants were divided into two groups: an MI group and a control group. Following the exclusion of three studies due to heterogeneity sensitivity, the results indicated that MIs had medium effects on mindfulness level (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI [0.42, 1.13], z = 4.25, I2 = 39%, p < 0.001), medium effects on attention (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI [0.29, 0.80], z = 4.16, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001), large effects on inhibitory control (SMD = 1.50, 95% CI [0.40, 2.61], z = 2.67, I2 = 2%, p = 0.008), and medium effects on neuroelectric indices (SMD = − 0.53, 95% CI [− 0.89, − 0.17], z = 2.89, I2 = 0%, p = 0.004). Subgroup analyses revealed that MIs improved inhibitory control in non-elite athletes with large effects (SMD = 1.65, 95% CI [− 0.03, 3.32], z = 1.93, I2 = 20%, p = 0.05) and had medium effects on mindfulness level in elite athletes (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI [0.32, 1.10], z = 3.55, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001). MIs at a frequency greater than or equal to three times per week were more effective in improving mindfulness level (SMD = 0.67, 95% CI [0.29, 1.06], z = 3.46, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001) and attention (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI [0.24, 0.86], z = 3.45, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001) in elite and non-elite athletes compared to the control group. The active control group also showed better improvements in mindfulness level (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI [0.27, 1.31], z = 2.98, I2 = 54%, p = 0.003) and attention (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI [0.24, 0.86], z = 3.45, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001) compared to the passive control group. Conclusions MI has a positive impact on the cognitive function of athletes, but these effects may be moderated by the athletes’ sports performance levels. For athletes, it is recommended to incorporate MIs into their routine, ideally three times a week. Furthermore, the influence of an MI on cognitive performance could be modulated by the design of the control group. Utilizing an active control group design can enhance the robustness and credibility of the findings. Therefore, further comprehensive and larger-scale studies are warranted to deepen our understanding of the impact of MIs on cognitive function in athletes. Preregistration This study has been registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (number: CRD42023454126).

Effects of Mindfulness Intervention on Cognitive Function in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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2025年8月6日

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Yue Yang,
Xiru Du,
Xinyu Liu,
Peilun Li,
Shan He,
Lu Leng,
Junhao Huang

摘要

Objectives

As the application of mindfulness interventions (MIs) continues to grow, its utility extends beyond mental health treatment, showing cognitive benefits for athletes, including increased focus, reduced distractions, and enhanced task efficiency. The integration of MI into cognitive neuroscience has practical implications for addressing various cognitive and behavioral challenges. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the impact of MIs on cognitive function in athletes, investigating whether it yielded measurable effects in this specific population.

Methods

A comprehensive search across five prominent online databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) focused only on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), assessing the influence of MI on cognitive function (mindfulness level, attention, inhibitory control, and neuroelectric indices) in athletes.

Results

Twelve RCTs, comprising a total sample size of 635 cases, were included in the analysis. Participants were divided into two groups: an MI group and a control group. Following the exclusion of three studies due to heterogeneity sensitivity, the results indicated that MIs had medium effects on mindfulness level (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI [0.42, 1.13], z = 4.25, I² = 39%, p < 0.001), medium effects on attention (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI [0.29, 0.80], z = 4.16, I² = 0%, p < 0.001), large effects on inhibitory control (SMD = 1.50, 95% CI [0.40, 2.61], z = 2.67, I² = 2%, p = 0.008), and medium effects on neuroelectric indices (SMD = − 0.53, 95% CI [− 0.89, − 0.17], z = 2.89, I² = 0%, p = 0.004). Subgroup analyses revealed that MIs improved inhibitory control in non-elite athletes with large effects (SMD = 1.65, 95% CI [− 0.03, 3.32], z = 1.93, I² = 20%, p = 0.05) and had medium effects on mindfulness level in elite athletes (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI [0.32, 1.10], z = 3.55, I² = 0%, p < 0.001). MIs at a frequency greater than or equal to three times per week were more effective in improving mindfulness level (SMD = 0.67, 95% CI [0.29, 1.06], z = 3.46, I² = 0%, p < 0.001) and attention (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI [0.24, 0.86], z = 3.45, I² = 0%, p < 0.001) in elite and non-elite athletes compared to the control group. The active control group also showed better improvements in mindfulness level (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI [0.27, 1.31], z = 2.98, I² = 54%, p = 0.003) and attention (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI [0.24, 0.86], z = 3.45, I² = 0%, p < 0.001) compared to the passive control group.

Conclusions

MI has a positive impact on the cognitive function of athletes, but these effects may be moderated by the athletes’ sports performance levels. For athletes, it is recommended to incorporate MIs into their routine, ideally three times a week. Furthermore, the influence of an MI on cognitive performance could be modulated by the design of the control group. Utilizing an active control group design can enhance the robustness and credibility of the findings. Therefore, further comprehensive and larger-scale studies are warranted to deepen our understanding of the impact of MIs on cognitive function in athletes.

Preregistration

This study has been registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (number: CRD42023454126).