Mindfulness to performance enhancement: a systematic review of neural correlates

ABSTRACT

The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on performance have recently been investigated, with several studies assessing changes in brain activity. The aim of the current systematic review was to identify the neural correlates of mindfulness practice that enhance performance. We completed searches on Scopus, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science in February 2020. Peer-reviewed studies that implemented mindfulness-based interventions or compared groups of mindfulness meditators with non-practitioners and measured the neural activity underpinning performance were eligible. The quality of the studies and evidence was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the GRADE system. Of the 1836 records identified, 20 published articles (925 participants) were found, including 8 experimental, 5 quasi-experimental, and 7 cross-sectional studies. None of the studies were rated as having a low risk of bias. The quality of evidence was graded to be low and very low. The main finding that emerged was the potential enhancing effect of mindfulness practice on performance monitoring abilities, which are highly important to detect and adjust to errors. Overall findings did not provide a robust evidence for neural correlates of mindfulness practice aimed to enhance performance, highlighting the need for future research. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42020185471.

KEYWORDS:

• Meditation
• neuroscience
• brain activity
• functional magnetic resonance imaging
• electroencephalography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).