Effect of meditation on cognitive performance of auditory and visual reaction time in medical students

Abstract

Stress and unhealthy lifestyle are the major and important risk factors for the development of comorbidities and impairment in the cognitive as well as sensory- motor performance. To study the effect of meditation on Visual Reaction Time in undergraduate medical students. Total 100 first MBBS students of Medical College in age group 18-25 years were included. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants before the study. Visual Reaction Time of all students for Green and Red colour stimuli was recorded before and after the mediation training program. The meditation training program was conducted by expert yoga trainer for consecutive 5 months, preferably on empty stomach, without disturbing their teaching schedule. There was a significant difference between VRT recorded before and after the meditation training with P<0.0001**. It indicates that meditation has very positive effect on improving the individuals sensory motor co-ordination. Yoga training with particular emphasis on meditation and deep breathing techniques, can be used as an important and cost-effective tool for improving and increasing the level of alertness.