Effects of interventions of mindfulness on executive functions in adults: a systematic review

Executive functions are cognitive processes that allow individuals to deal with unexpected obstacles, see the same situation from different perspectives, focus on a task, and resist impulses. Mindfulness interventions may improve executive functions by directly training these functions while reducin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Silva Lemos, Iana (author)
Other Authors: Menezes de Sousa Júnior, Geovan (author), de Lima Araújo, Geissy Lainny (author), Moreira, Júnnia Maria (author), Brys, Ivani (author)
Format: article
Language:Portuguese
English
Spanish
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.ucu.edu.uy/index.php/cienciaspsicologicas/article/view/3748
https://hdl.handle.net/10895/5660
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Summary:Executive functions are cognitive processes that allow individuals to deal with unexpected obstacles, see the same situation from different perspectives, focus on a task, and resist impulses. Mindfulness interventions may improve executive functions by directly training these functions while reducing factors that impair them. To better understand these effects, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials on the effects of mindfulness interventions on executive functions in adults aged 18 to 60 years, published in the last 5 years was conducted. A total of 1304 articles were found, and after removing duplicates and reviewing titles and abstracts, 32 articles remained. After a thorough reading of these articles and bias risk analysis, 6 articles were included in the study. All the studies included in the review found positive effects on different executive functions, such as attention, cognitive control, and psychological flexibility, resulting from participation in these types of interventions, with four of these studies showing greater effects compared to the control group. Mindfulness-based interventions demonstrate potential for improving inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in both clinical and non-clinical populations.