Breathing meditation trial found selective benefits for stress and flexible thinking
Young Malaysian adults improved on perceived stress and cognitive flexibility compared with music, while other measured outcomes showed no statistically significant improvement.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Participants assigned to breathing meditation reported less stress and showed better cognitive flexibility than the music-control group after the program. Attention, inhibitory control, and heart-rate variability did not show statistically significant improvements. The pattern suggests selective changes in the measured outcomes, while later adherence reporting raised questions about sustaining the practice over time.
The abstract does not report effect sizes or confidence intervals, so the magnitude and precision of the differences are unclear. Follow-up addressed adherence and does not establish that stress or cognitive changes persisted.
What researchers found
Cognitive flexibility
Breathing meditation versus active music control after 4 weeks; the abstract does not report an effect size.
What was tested
This abstract-based trial tested a structured program that combined online classes with daily self-practice or music listening. Researchers assessed perceived stress and cognitive performance, alongside heart-rate variability and eye-tracking measurements.
Acceptability and continued practice
Participants in the meditation group viewed the program favorably, but acceptability and sustained use were separate issues. The follow-up questionnaire indicated difficulty maintaining adherence, so positive short-term experiences did not establish continued practice.
The original publication
Effects of mindfulness breathing meditation on stress and cognitive functions: a heart rate variability and eye-tracking study.
Hooi LY, Chen PL, Tan KW et al.
Sci Rep · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41136540
- Record checked
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