The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review.

Objective: Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Methods: Based on inclusion criteria, 44 studies were selected for the review and categorized into three major areas: attention, academic performance, and mental health (stress/anxiety). Areas were systemically reviewed and synthesized. Results: Review findings suggest that, while appearing to have inconsistent impacts on academic performance, meditation practice with college students demonstrates more conclusive evidence in regard to attention including mind-wandering and the reduction of stress and anxiety. Conclusion: Meditation interventions continue to show promise as alternative treatments for mental health on campuses. However, well-designed studies are still needed to answer questions on meditation practices with students, including dosage, specific techniques, and impact on diverse populations.