Mindfulness training
Mindfulness training has been studied in 7 papers since 2017: 4 trials in people, 3 reviews; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, Jan 27, 2026: “Meta-analysis and systematic review of the impact of different exercise intervention on emotional symptoms in patients with bipolar affective disorders”.
7 papers study it6 findingsUpdated
See all 7 papers on mindfulness training
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 3 independent labs in 2 countries.
“Neither weight loss intervention significantly predicted TL change nor did amount of weight change, at any time point.”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 2 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and others
- Human trial4
Studies in people
3 studies gave mindfulness training to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
no change: Has no effect on cognitive functiont(124) = 0.942, 95% CI -0.121 to 0.342, p = 0.348 up: Improves cognitive function | Randomized trial8-week | 146 people65–80 years of ageCognitively normal older adults | Frontiers in aging neuroscience, Aug 27, 2021 |
| Randomized trial12 weeks | 37 people67% were female70.1 (SD = 6.8) years of age on averagePhysically inactive older adults reporting at least 2 risk factors for dementia and self-reported cognitive complaints | American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Jan 1, 2021 | |
no change: Has no effect on telomere length | Randomized trial12 months | 194 peopleadultsWeight loss program with vs without mindfulness training | Psychosomatic medicine, Jun 15, 2018 |
What did studies of mindfulness training find?
3Studies of mindfulness training measured 3 outcomes; the most studied are cognitive function (2 studies), telomere length (1) and well-being (1).
Cognitive function
upin humans2no changein humans1
2 studies
Cognitive function
upin humans2no changein humans1
Mindfulness training improves cognitive function in the mindfulness training group.
“In the MT group, PACC scores increased after the intervention compared to baseline [0.21 mean increase ± 0.68 standard deviations (SD); t(60) = 2.44, p = 0.018, CI (0.04–0.39), Cohen’s d 0.31].”
Human trialin the mindfulness training group8-week
Frontiers in aging neuroscience
Mindfulness training showed no clear effect on cognitive function in humans (compared with Cognitive Fitness Training) (t(124) = 0.942, 95% CI -0.121 to 0.342, p = 0.348).
“Despite these findings, the between-group comparison was not statistically significant [t(124) = 0.942, p = 0.348, CI (−0.121, 0.342), neuroimaging sample t(95) = 1.235, p = 0.220, CI (−0.103, 0.442), ].”
Human trialcompared with Cognitive Fitness Training8-week
Frontiers in aging neuroscience
Mindfulness training improves cognitive function in humans (compared to usual care) (b =.43, 95% CI:.07,.79).
“at EOT the MT group had higher ZAVEN scores compared to both the UC (b =.43, 95% CI:.07,.79; P =.03) and the AT (b =.26, 95% CI: −.08,.60; P =.10) groups”
Human trialcompared to usual care12 weeksn = 37
American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Mindfulness training improves cognitive function in humans (older individuals at risk of dementia) (b = .43, P =.03).
“At EOT, MT had higher ZAVEN scores than UC (b = .43, P =.03)”
Human trialolder individuals at risk of dementian = 36
American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Telomere length
no changein humans1
1 study
Telomere length
no changein humans1
Mindfulness training showed no clear effect on telomere length in humans (weight loss program with vs without mindfulness training).
“Neither weight loss intervention significantly predicted TL change nor did amount of weight change, at any time point.”
Human trialweight loss program with vs without mindfulness training12 months
Psychosomatic medicine
Well-being
upin humans1
1 study
Well-being
upin humans1
Mindfulness training improves well-being in humans.
“there is evidence of enhancements in both psychological and physical aspects of well-being”
Review
Mindfulness Training for Healthy Aging: Impact on Attention, Well-Being, and Inflammation
Frontiers in aging neuroscience