Abstract

Many research studies have found that long-duration meditation sessions – ones that last at least 40 minutes a day – can contribute to individuals’ concentration and cognitive performance. However, the effects of comparatively brief meditation sessions have not been widely studied. In this study, we tested whether a short meditation session affects cognitive performance and concentration when compared to a control group. Participants with no prior meditation experience underwent a short meditation session lasting 10 minutes, and then completed a section of either the reading or math portion of the SAT. We find no evidence that the short meditation session improves test performance, but subjective feedback from the participants suggests that meditation has a positive impact on their concentration level. The implications of this study and possibilities for future research on the topic will be discussed further.

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