A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Working Memory Capacity in Adolescents
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of a mindfulness meditation intervention on working memory capacity (WMC) in adolescents via a randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness meditation to hatha yoga and a waitlist control group.Methods Participants (N = 198 adolescents) were recruited from a large public middle school in southwest United States and randomly assigned to mindfulness meditation, hatha yoga, or a waitlist control condition. Participants completed a computerized measure of WMC (Automated Operational Span Task) and self-report measures of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and anxiety (Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders) at preintervention and postintervention/waitlist. A series of mixed-design analyses of variance were used to examine changes in WMC, stress, and anxiety at preintervention and postintervention.Results Participants in the mindfulness meditation condition showed significant improvements in WMC, whereas those in the hatha yoga and waitlist control groups did not. No statistically significant between-group differences were found for stress or anxiety.Conclusions This is the first study to provide support for the benefits of short-term mindfulness practice, specifically mindfulness meditation, in improving WMC in adolescents. Results highlight the importance of investigating the components of mindfulness-based interventions among adolescents given that such interventions may improve cognitive function. More broadly, mindfulness interventions may be delivered in an abridged format, thus increasing their potential for integration into school settings and into existing treatment protocols.
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Pretreatment levels of trait mindfulness and autism severity predict the magnitude of MBSR outcomes.
“Other studies have shown that pretreatment levels of trait mindfulness and autism severity predict the magnitude of MBSR outcomes.40,41”
From Distinct and shared therapeutic neural mechanisms of mindfulness-based and social support stress reduction groups in adults with autism spectrum disorder (2023) · cites this paper as [41]
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Jha, A. P., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Rooks, J. D., Morrison, A. B., & Stanley, E. A. (2020) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-020-10076-6 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Sleep and mindfulness meditation as they relate to false memory
Konjedi, S., & Maleeh, R. (2018) · Psychological Research · doi:10.1007/s00426-018-1098-0 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Qi, X., Tong, J. S., Chen, S., He, Z., & Zhu, X. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.560152 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Lassander, M., Hintsanen, M., Suominen, S., Mullola, S., Fagerlund, Å., Vahlberg, T. J., & Volanen, S. (2020) · Developmental Neuropsychology · doi:10.1080/87565641.2020.1856109 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“The only variable that did not improve during the follow-up period was working memory, which gives contrary evidence to previous studies (Quach et al., 2016).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialZhang, Y., Chen, S., Wu, H., & Guo, C. (2021) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01775-6 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Quek, F. Y. X., Majeed, N. M., Kothari, M., Lua, V. Y. Q., Ong, H., & Hartanto, A. (2021) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci11020175 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“Overall, studies have extensively shown the positive impacts on working memory capacity in subjects who have undergone intensive mindfulness training compared to controls who have not [18,19].”
BackgroundPagni, B. A., Hill, E., Walsh, M. J. M., Delaney, S., Ogbeama, D., Monahan, L., Cook, J. R., Guerithault, N., Dixon, M. V., Ballard, L., et al. (2023) · Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience · doi:10.1503/jpn.220159 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“42,43 Corroborating these relationships, the extent of meditation training is associated with working memory and short-and long-term memory performance, which also suggests dose–response effects.”
BackgroundJuhász, Á., Sebestyén, N., Árva, D., Barta, V., Pártos, K., Vokó, Z., & Rákosy, Z. (2024) · Journal of School Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2024.101352 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Safe in My Own Mind:” Supporting Healthy Adolescent Development Through Meditation Retreats
Galla, B. M. (2017) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2017.09.006 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Siripornpanich, V., Sampoon, K., Chaithirayanon, S., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Chutabhakdikul, N. (2018) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-0930-3 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Effects of Different Components of Yoga: A Meta-Synthesis
Matko, K., Bringmann, H. C., & Sedlmeier, P. (2021) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2103030 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“memory capacity than a multi-component yoga intervention [24].”
Clinchard, C., Casas, B. R., & Kim‐Spoon, J. (2024) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579424001457 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Mindfulness as a Coping Strategy for EFL Learning in Education
Skelly, K. J., & Chichón, J. L. E. (2021) · International Journal of Instruction · doi:10.29333/iji.2021.14356a · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Alizadehgoradel, J., Imani, S., Nejati, V., & Fathabadi, J. (2019) · Neurology Psychiatry and Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.npbr.2019.08.002 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Veneri, D., Gannotti, M. E., Bertucco, M., & Hillman, S. E. F. (2018) · The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0030 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Post-training Meditation Promotes Motor Memory Consolidation
Immink, M. A. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01698 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“In addition, brief periods of meditation practice have been shown to benefit performance on memory tasks (Mrazek et al., 2013; Xin et al., 2013; Quach et al., 2016).”
BackgroundThe Science of Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Learning: A Review for EducatorsPreprint
Laukkonen, R., Leggett, J. M. I., Gallagher, R., Biddell, H., Mrazek, A. J., Slagter, H. A., & Mrazek, M. D. (2020) · doi:10.31231/osf.io/6g9uq · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Lyon, A. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198843757.001.0001 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Mindfulness as an Intervention for ADHD
Househam, A. M., & Solanto, M. V. (2016) · The ADHD Report · doi:10.1521/adhd.2016.24.2.1 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Johnstone, J. M., Ribbers, A., Jenkins, D., Atchley, R., Gustafsson, H., Nigg, J. T., Wahbeh, H., & Oken, B. (2020) · Journal of Restorative Medicine · doi:10.14200/jrm.2020.0101 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“doing regular activities mindfully) or be more evident if asked to record observations of their internal processes, an idea used by others.(34,35) Anecdotally, a number of students in this study volunteered that the mindfulness practice helped them cope with stress—in preparing for a test, a play performance,”
A Mini-Review of Work Stress and Mindfulness: A Neuropsychological Point of View
González-Palau, F., & Medrano, L. A. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854204 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Aly, M., Ogasawara, T., Kamijo, K., & Kojima, H. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02120-9 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Mindfulness and Executive Functions: Making the Case for Elementary School Practice
Ritter, A., & Álvarez, I. (2020) · European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education · doi:10.3390/ejihpe10010039 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“Similarly, in a pioneering study that investigated the effectiveness of an MBI for working memory capacity (WMC) in adolescents [29], found that, after the intervention, participants showed statistically significant improvements in their”
BackgroundLin, X., Zheng, J., Zhang, Q., & Li, Y. (2024) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100587 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Rice, L. C., Deronda, A. C., Kiran, S., Seidl, K., Brown, K., Rosch, K. S., James, M., & Mostofsky, S. H. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-02063-7 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Bernstein, R. M., Sánchez, N., Clark, E. L. M., Conte, I., Gulley, L. D., Legget, K. T., Cornier, M., Melby, C. L., Johnson, S. A., Lucas‐Thompson, R. G., et al. (2021) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101580 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Baranski, M. F. S. (2021) · Journal of Cognitive Enhancement · doi:10.1007/s41465-020-00198-w · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Folch, A., Gasol, L., Heredia, L., Vicens, P., & Torrente, M. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02572-z · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“More specifically, a randomized controlled study examining the effect of mindfulness interventions on working memory found significant improvements in working memory capacity (Quach et al., 2016).”
BackgroundAboalola, N. A. (2023) · Applied Neuropsychology Child · doi:10.1080/21622965.2023.2203321 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Quach et al. (2016) investigated the effects of a mindfulness meditation intervention on working memory in middle school students (M age ¼ 13.18).”
InfluentialNelson, L., Roots, K., Dunn, T. J., Rees, A., Hull, D. D., & Gordon, W. V. (2021) · International Journal of Spa and Wellness · doi:10.1080/24721735.2021.1909865 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“…capacity for resilience (i.e. the ability to overcome negative life events; Prince-Embury, 2006) and serve as a protective factor against poor mental health (Bluth et al., 2015; Galla, 2016; Quach et al., 2016; Salmoirago-Blotcher et al., 2018; Schonert-Reichl & Lawlor, 2010; Shapiro et al., 2008).”
BackgroundMindfulness-Based Programs in School Settings: Current State of the Research
Rawana, J. S., Diplock, B. D., & Chan, S. (2018) · Plenum series on human exceptionality · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-89842-1_18 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Hartanto, A., Kasturiratna, K. T. A. S., Chua, Y. J., Ngo, J. A., Ong, J. S. Y., Quek, F. Y. X., Soh, X. C., & Majeed, N. M. (2023) · Collabra Psychology · doi:10.1525/collabra.90219 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Porter, B., Oyanadel, C., Betancourt, I., Worrell, F. C., & Castro, W. P. (2024) · Pediatric Reports · doi:10.3390/pediatric16020022 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Research points to the positive effects of practicing mindfulness on executive functions in children and adolescents [60–62], specifically on response inhibition [63] and self-monitoring [64].”
BackgroundKang, H., An, S. C., Kim, N. O., Sung, M., Kang, Y.-J., Lee, U. S., & Yang, H. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00931 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Espil, F. M., Rettger, J. P., Weems, C. F., Neill, E. L., & Carrión, V. G. (2020) · Child & Youth Care Forum · doi:10.1007/s10566-020-09558-1 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Plumwongrot, P., & Pholphirul, P. (2021) · International Journal of Adolescence and Youth · doi:10.1080/02673843.2021.1890161 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“These results correspond to the study of Quach et al. (2016), who found that adolescents practicing meditation had significantly better brain memory.”
ResultMindfulness and Academic Performance: A Literature Review
Indriaswuri, R., Gading, I. K., Suranata, K., & Suarni, N. K. (2023) · MIGRATION LETTERS · doi:10.59670/ml.v20i9.6087 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Solomonova, E., Dubé, S., Blanchette‐Carrière, C., Sandra, D. A., Samson-Richer, A., Carr, M., Paquette, T., & Nielsen, T. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03014 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Limpo, T., Rasteiro, I., Aguiar, S., & Magalhães, S. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-02003-5 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Still, the lack of association between mindfulness and working memory contrasts with previous findings (Bigelow et al., 2021; Quach et al., 2016), probably due to the different measures used to assess working memory.”
ResultTian, Q.-Q., Cheng, C., Liu, P., Yin, Z.-X., Zhang, M.-K., Cui, Y.-P., Zhao, R., Deng, H., Lu, L., Tang, C., et al. (2023) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2023.1133964 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Nagpal, M. N., Lin, T., Park, H., Anderman, E. M., Bihari, T. E., Madrid, L., Ford, J. L., & Subramaniam, B. (2024) · Journal of Research on Adolescence · doi:10.1111/jora.12971 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Clinical application of respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation
Han, Z., Zhang, C., Cheng, K., Chen, Y., Tang, Z., Chen, L., Ni, J., & Wang, Z. (2024) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.11.065 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Mindfulness Training for Emotional and Cognitive Health in Late Life
Smoski, M. J., McClintock, A. S., & Keeling, L. A. (2016) · Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports · doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0097-y · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Schulbasierte Achtsamkeitsprogramme mit Kindern und Jugendlichen
Engel, N., Schiemann, S., & von Salisch, M. (2020) · Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie · doi:10.13109/prkk.2020.69.4.289 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Hosan, N. E., Smith, V., Strean, W. B., Sibinga, E. M. S., Punja, S., & Vohra, S. (2022) · Theory Into Practice · doi:10.1080/00405841.2022.2107822 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“MBIs can also improve youth’s overall sense of wellbeing (e.g., Lassander et al., 2021), increase their resilience to stress (e.g., Metz et al., 2013) and their executive functioning (e.g., Quach et al., 2016; Thierry et al., 2016).”
BackgroundHealth Benefits of Mindful Meditation
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Evaluating the effects of brief mindfulness practice on attentional control and episodic memory
Namias, J. M., & Huff, M. J. (2024) · Journal of Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1080/20445911.2024.2381872 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“…mindfulness engagement has been shown to improve performance on cognitively challenging tasks (Moore & Malinowski, 2009; Mrazek et al., 2013; Quach et al., 2016), and therefore, one may need to achieve a mindful state or regularly achieve a mindful state to procure cognitive bene fi ts.”
Bianjiang, Z., Jianchun, Z., Xiaoyu, S., & Yang, J. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-06620-x · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Mindful Text Comprehension: Meditation Training Improves Reading Comprehension of Meditation Novices
Lusnig, L., Hofmann, M., & Radach, R. R. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02079-7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Even short-term exercises in mindfulness meditation can increase the working memory capacity (Bonamo et al., 2015; Quach et al., 2016).”
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A Role for Mindfulness and Mindfulness Training in Substance Use Prevention
Riggs, N. R., Greenberg, M. T., & Dvořáková, K. (2019) · Advances in prevention science · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-00627-3_21 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
- Authors
- Quach, D., Jastrowski Mano, K. E., & Alexander, K.
- Affiliations
- Alliant University (US)
- ORCID
- Quach, Dianna
- Venue
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-05
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 489-496
- ISSN
- 1054-139X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2173801087
- Cited by
- 213
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 8
- FWCI
- 13.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Keywords
- mindfulness meditation, working memory capacity, adolescents, hatha yoga, perceived stress, childhood anxiety, cognitive function, school-based intervention
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Anxiety, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Stress, Psychological, Students, Yoga, Meditation, Self Report, Mindfulness
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