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Objectives <p>Extended mindfulness sessions in Theravada Buddhist retreats can be challenging for beginners. This study examined whether a 1-hr daily Buddhist mindfulness training (BMT) program combining chanting, moving, and breathing meditations could improve executive functions, psychological well-being, and resting heart rate variability (HRV) in young adults within the framework of the neurovisceral integration model.</p> Method <p>Fifty young adults were equally divided into the BMT or an active no-training (NT) group. Working memory, attention, inhibitory control, psychological well-being, and resting physiological measures (heart rate, HRV, blood pressure (BP), and respiratory rate) were assessed before and after the 8-week intervention.</p> Results <p>The BMT group showed significant improvements in awareness (<i>d</i> = 1.05) and happiness (<i>d</i> = 0.78), with reductions in anxiety (<i>d</i> = 0.78) and depression (<i>d</i> = 0.64) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.005). They also demonstrated improved backward memory (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05, <i>r</i> = 0.46), reduced reaction time variability (<i>p</i> = 0.002, <i>d</i> = 0.69), and a smaller reduction in sustained attention task efficiency compared with the NT group (BMT: <i>p</i> = 0.02, <i>d</i> = 0.46; NT: <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001, <i>d</i> = 0.82). A nonsignificant trend toward reduced incongruent Stroop response time was observed in the BMT group (<i>p</i> = 0.07), whereas NT demonstrated a similar but smaller reduction. Physiologically, BMT reduced resting diastolic and mean arterial BP across the 15-min resting period (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01, <i>d</i> = 0.54–0.66), whereas NT showed a reduction only at 10 min. Only the BMT group showed an increase in 15-min resting ln LF-HRV (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05, <i>d</i> = 0.44).</p> Conclusions <p>Daily BMT practice over 8&#xa0;weeks improved executive functions and psychological well-being without altering cardiac vagal tone in young adults, highlighting its potential as an engaging mindfulness-based intervention for novice practitioners.</p> Preregistration <p>The study was retrospectively registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry on June 8, 2023 (TCTR 20230608003).</p>

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The Combined Buddhist Mindfulness Training Enhances Executive Functions and Psychological Well-being without Influencing Vagal Tone

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月28日

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  • Watcharaporn Daosang,
  • Phrutthinun Surit,
  • Chanchira Wasuntarawat

摘要

Objectives

Extended mindfulness sessions in Theravada Buddhist retreats can be challenging for beginners. This study examined whether a 1-hr daily Buddhist mindfulness training (BMT) program combining chanting, moving, and breathing meditations could improve executive functions, psychological well-being, and resting heart rate variability (HRV) in young adults within the framework of the neurovisceral integration model.

Method

Fifty young adults were equally divided into the BMT or an active no-training (NT) group. Working memory, attention, inhibitory control, psychological well-being, and resting physiological measures (heart rate, HRV, blood pressure (BP), and respiratory rate) were assessed before and after the 8-week intervention.

Results

The BMT group showed significant improvements in awareness (d = 1.05) and happiness (d = 0.78), with reductions in anxiety (d = 0.78) and depression (d = 0.64) (p < 0.005). They also demonstrated improved backward memory (p < 0.05, r = 0.46), reduced reaction time variability (p = 0.002, d = 0.69), and a smaller reduction in sustained attention task efficiency compared with the NT group (BMT: p = 0.02, d = 0.46; NT: p < 0.001, d = 0.82). A nonsignificant trend toward reduced incongruent Stroop response time was observed in the BMT group (p = 0.07), whereas NT demonstrated a similar but smaller reduction. Physiologically, BMT reduced resting diastolic and mean arterial BP across the 15-min resting period (p < 0.01, d = 0.54–0.66), whereas NT showed a reduction only at 10 min. Only the BMT group showed an increase in 15-min resting ln LF-HRV (p < 0.05, d = 0.44).

Conclusions

Daily BMT practice over 8 weeks improved executive functions and psychological well-being without altering cardiac vagal tone in young adults, highlighting its potential as an engaging mindfulness-based intervention for novice practitioners.

Preregistration

The study was retrospectively registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry on June 8, 2023 (TCTR 20230608003).