Examining the Effects of Mindful-Movement Interventions on Social, Emotional and Cognitive Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Forfatter(e)
- Harrison, Z., Bourke, M., Gomersall, S. R.
- År
- 2026
- Tidsskrift
- Child: Care, Health & Development
- Volum
- 52
- Sider
- e70226
- Kategori(er)
- Angst og engstelighet (inkl. både vansker og lidelse) Kognisjon (hukommelse, oppmerksomhet og eksekutive funksjoner) Sosiale ferdigheter (inkl. vennerelasjoner) Livskvalitet og trivselSelvfølelse og selvtillit
- Tiltakstype(r)
- Skole/barnehagebaserte tiltak Fysisk aktivitet
- Abstract
BACKGROUND
Early childhood is a critical period in which the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills occurs. Mindful-movement interventions, which combine physical activity and mindfulness practices, have promising benefits in adults; however, their effects in children are not well understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of mindful-movement interventions on the social, emotional and cognitive development of children aged 0-10 years.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases; papers were screened using both machine learning-assisted and manual processes for eligibility. A total of 16 studies met inclusion criteria, with both randomised and nonrandomised controlled trials included in the review and meta-analysis. Extracted data included intervention characteristics and outcomes. A meta-analysis was conducted using robust variance estimation.
RESULTS
The pooled effect of mindful-movement interventions on social-emotional outcomes, encompassing 32 effect sizes from 12 studies, was marginally nonsignificant at 0.252 (95% CI = -0.026, 0.529, p = 0.072) and with considerable heterogeneity (I
of 79%), this suggested sizeable variability across studies in the level of social-emotional impacts. Cognitive outcomes across eight studies yielded a nonsignificant effect size, 0.330 (95% CI = -0.256, 0.970). For all outcomes, there were insufficient data for subgroup meta-analyses.
CONCLUSION
Mindful-movement interventions have demonstrated a suggestive positive effect on social-emotional outcomes in children; however, evidence for cognitive outcomes is less conclusive. High heterogeneity across the studies included in this review suggest a need for more rigorous research. The findings therefore tentatively support the use of mindful-movement practices in early childhood development.