Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Prospective Memory Under Different Attentional Load Conditions

Prospective memory is the ability to execute delayed intentions at the appropriate moment. Mindfulness meditation serves as a training modality to enhance attentional control and foster a flexible, self-regulated attentional state, which can significantly enhance prospective memory performance through refined attentional control. The study aimed to investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on prospective memory and its underlying processing mechanisms under different attentional loads. In the present study, a total of 109 participants were enrolled in a 2 (groups: mindfulness meditation group, control group) × 2 (attentional load: low load, high load) between-subjects design. The results indicated that mindfulness meditation enhances prospective memory performance primarily by improving the prospective component. This positive effect manifests significantly under the low attentional load condition. The findings suggest that mindfulness meditation primarily enhances prospective memory in scenarios with lower attentional demands.