Effects of Meditation on Learning Ability and Cognitive Functioning: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: One of the foremost objectives of formal education is to improve learning ability. This requires cultivating the development of cognitive functioning. One of the methods for doing this, meditation, is the topic of this article.

Aims: The article conducts an in-depth review of the literature on the effects of meditation on cognitive functioning in children. Literature on its effects on adults and its mechanisms is briefly summarized.

Samples: The studies were school-based K-12 meditation programs that administered psychometric tests of cognitive functioning.

Methods: Pupils were taught meditation in classrooms and were directed to practice solo between classes.

Results: Cognitive functioning was significantly increased on all tests except one in one study.

Conclusions: A wide array of psychometric tests measured many cognitive functions. The studies had a methodologic rigor that was fair to good. Higher quality research is needed and experimental design guidelines are proposed.

Keywords: lifelong learning ability, cognitive functioning, meditation, scholastic test scores, formal education

JEL Classification: L94, I31, Z21, I2, M11, M14