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Zainal NH, Newman MG. Mindfulness enhances cognitive functioning: a meta-analysis of 111 randomized controlled trials. Health Psychol Rev 2024; 18:369-395. [PMID: 37578065 PMCID: PMC10902202 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2023.2248222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently no comprehensive meta-analysis of MBI efficacy on global and unique cognitive subdomains exist. METHOD Examined the effects of MBIs on global cognition and 15 cognitive subdomains. Inclusion criteria: meditation naïve participants; randomized controlled trial; outcome included one objective or subjective cognitive functioning measure; primary focus was teaching mindfulness skills. Exclusion criteria: inadequate data; one-session ; control condition contained any MBI component. Robust variance estimation and moderator analyses controlling for presence of treatment fidelity were conducted. RESULTS One-hundred-and-eleven RCTs (n = 9,538) met eligibility criteria. MBIs had small-to-moderate significant effects on global cognition, executive attention, working memory accuracy, inhibition accuracy, shifting accuracy, sustained attention, and subjective cognitive functioning (vs. waitlist/no-treatment, g = 0.257-0.643; vs. active controls, g = 0.192-0.394). MBIs did not impact executive functioning (EF) latency indices, verbal fluency, processing speed, episodic memory, and cognitive error. Treatment effects were stronger for those with elevated psychiatric symptoms vs. healthy controls, and medical samples, studies with complete-case (vs. intention-to-treat) analysis, face-to-face (vs. self-guided) delivery, and non-standard (vs. standard MBI). CONCLUSION MBIs consistently yielded small-to-moderate yet practically meaningful effect sizes on global cognition and six cognitive subdomains that captured accuracy vs. latency-based indices of EF and sustained accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Hani Zainal
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michelle G Newman
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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2
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Akbari-Lalimi H, Shafiei SA, Momennezhad M, Zare H, Talaei A, Naseri S. The effect of considering eye movement time in evaluating the efficiency of attentional networks. Psych J 2024. [PMID: 38298162 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The attention network test (ANT) is a tool for assessing the executive, alerting, and orienting components of attention. However, conflicting findings exist regarding the nature and correlation between attention networks. This study aims to investigate the influence of eye movement time on the assessment of attention network efficiency. Forty male students, with an average age of 20.8 ± 1.3 years, participated in the study. The revised attention network test was conducted concurrently with the recording of the electrooculogram signal. The electrooculogram signal was used to estimate eye placement time on target stimuli. Considering eye movement time for calculating the score of each network was proposed as a novel method. The study explored the nature of attention networks and their relationships, and revealed significant effects for attention networks with and without considering the eye movement time. Additionally, a significant correlation is observed between the alerting and orienting networks. However, no significant correlation is found between attention networks using the proposed method. Considering eye movement time alters the assessment of attention network efficiency and modifies the correlation among attention networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Akbari-Lalimi
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Shafiei
- Neuroscience Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Mahdi Momennezhad
- Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hoda Zare
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Talaei
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Naseri
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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3
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Takhdat K, Rebahi H, Rooney DM, Ait Babram M, Benali A, Touzani S, Lamtali S, El Adib AR. The impact of brief mindfulness meditation on anxiety, cognitive load, and teamwork in emergency simulation training: A randomized controlled trial. NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 2024; 132:106005. [PMID: 37944276 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2023.106005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency simulation training may impose a heavy psychological burden on health professions students (HPS), evoking anxiety, and overwhelming their cognitive load. Mindfulness may have a positive impact on HPS' anxiety, cognitive load, and teamwork during simulation training. The effects of integration of a brief pre-briefing mindfulness meditation (MM) practice into emergency simulation training, on anxiety, cognitive load, and teamwork remain understudied. METHODS From November 2021 to June 2022, 70 undergraduate HPS participated in this pilot randomized controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG, n = 24) that completed a brief in-person mindfulness meditation training program (MMTP) (2 h/week during 4 weeks) or a control group (CG, n = 46). Each group was comprised of teams (2 medical students and 1-2 nursing students). Measures of anxiety, mindfulness, cognitive load, and teamwork were collected at 4-time points: baseline, after the completion of the brief MMTP (for the EG only), at the first simulation assessment within one month later, and the second (6-month follow-up) simulation assessment. Student's t and Wilcoxon Mann-Whiney tests were used to compare the groups' measures and changes over time. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess anxiety and mindfulness scores' changes over time among EG participants. RESULTS 52 participants completed all time-point assessments. EG participants recorded better state-anxiety, cognitive load, and teamwork scores than the CG participants in both simulation assessments. However, no statistically significant differences were recorded between the EG and the CG in trait-anxiety and mindfulness at the 6-month follow-up assessment. CONCLUSION Brief pre-briefing MM practice mitigates HPS' state-anxiety, and promotes cognitive load, and teamwork during emergency simulation training. Simulation instructors should consider MM practice in the emergency healthcare simulation instructional design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Takhdat
- Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco; Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Marrakesh, Morocco.
| | - Houssam Rebahi
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000 Marakesh, Morocco
| | - Deborah M Rooney
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Abdeslam Benali
- The Research Team on Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine of Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Saad Touzani
- Touzani Center for Training and Consulting, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Saloua Lamtali
- High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Ahmed Rhassane El Adib
- Marrakesh Simulation and Innovation in Health Sciences Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Marakesh, Morocco
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4
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The role of affective interference and mnemonic load in the dynamic adjustment in working memory. Mem Cognit 2023; 51:203-220. [PMID: 35322383 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-022-01303-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The amount of cognitive control required during a task may fluctuate over the course of performing a task. The dynamic upregulation of cognitive control has been proposed to occur in response to conflict or in response to the need for additional control during demanding cognitive tasks. Specifically, upregulation in cognitive control results in improved performance on trials that follow more demanding trials. Recent work has demonstrated that upregulation occurs during following trials with high (vs. low) mnemonic load and negative (vs. neutral) affective interference during working memory tasks. Although dynamic upregulation appears to be a robust phenomenon, less is known about individual difference factors that may alter the likelihood to engage in upregulation as a result of a signal to increase cognitive control. The current study attempted to replicate prior findings that suggest upregulation may occur following higher load trials or affective interference during a working memory task. Further, the study examined anxiety, depressive symptomatology, working memory capacity, mood, and dispositional mindfulness and possible moderators for upregulation of cognitive control. Participants (N = 150) completed a delayed recognition working memory task with mnemonic load (High vs. Low) and affective interference (Negative vs. Neutral) parametrically manipulated. Participants completed measures of the individual difference factors. The current findings replicate prior work demonstrating an upregulation of cognitive control following high load trials and negative affective interference. Individual difference factors did not moderate the upregulation findings, suggesting that upregulation is a robust phenomenon that can be triggered by both affective interference and mnemonic load.
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Jensen DA, Lundervold AJ, Stubberud J, Halmøy A, Haavik J, Sørensen L. Goal management training improves executive control in adults with ADHD: an open trial employing attention network theory to examine effects on attention. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:207. [PMID: 36028907 PMCID: PMC9414421 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically experience poorer attentional control. According to the attention network theory, attentional control relies on three interacting networks of alerting, orienting, and executive control. In ADHD, it is mainly the alerting and executive control networks that are suggested and found to be compromised. Methods In the current study, we investigated if a group-based metacognitive remediation program (Goal Management Training [GMT]) in adults with ADHD would enhance attentional control using an experimental measure of the attention network theory. We expected that GMT would specifically enhance the executive control and alerting networks. Results Data from post- and follow up-assessments of 21 adults (age: 39.05 [11.93]) with ADHD who had completed GMT were included. Linear mixed-effects modeling revealed significant improvements in the functioning of the executive control network for the majority of the participants, although a small subset of participants showed a negative development following the intervention. Results also showed an improvement in the orienting network at follow up, but no change in the alerting network. Conclusion The results may indicate that improvements in the functioning of the executive control network are central to the positive effects of GMT reported in disorders characterized by impaired attentional control. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN (Identifier: ISRCTN91988877) on the 18/01/2021. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-022-00902-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Jensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Division of Mental Health, Betanien Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Astri J Lundervold
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Stubberud
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Halmøy
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Haavik
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lin Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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6
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Benz ABE, Gaertner RJ, Meier M, Unternaehrer E, Scharndke S, Jupe C, Wenzel M, Bentele UU, Dimitroff SJ, Denk BF, Pruessner JC. Nature-Based Relaxation Videos and Their Effect on Heart Rate Variability. Front Psychol 2022; 13:866682. [PMID: 35756241 PMCID: PMC9226437 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.866682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that natural environments – whether in outdoor or indoor settings – foster psychological health and physiological relaxation, indicated by increased wellbeing, reduced stress levels, and increased parasympathetic activity. Greater insight into differential psychological aspects modulating psychophysiological responses to nature-based relaxation videos could help understand modes of action and develop personalized relaxation interventions. We investigated heart rate variability (HRV) as an indicator of autonomic regulation, specifically parasympathetic activity, in response to a 10-min video intervention in two consecutive studies as well as heart rate (HR). We hypothesized that a nature-based relaxation video elicits HRV increase and HR decrease, with response magnitude being affected by aspects of early life adversity (conceptualized as low parental care and high overprotection/constraint) and trait mindfulness. In Study 1, N = 60 participants (52% female, agemean = 23.92 ± 3.13 years, agerange = 18–34 years) watched a relaxation video intervention depicting different natural scenery. We analyzed changes in HR and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) as a standard HRV measure, both based on 3-min segments from the experimental session, in multiple growth curve models. We found a decrease in HR and increase of RSA during the video intervention. Higher paternal care and lower trait mindfulness observing skills (assessed via questionnaires) were associated with higher RSA values before but not during video exposure. In Study 2, N = 90 participants (50% female, agemean = 22.63 ± 4.57 years, agerange = 18–49 years) were assigned to three video conditions: natural scenery from Study 1, meditation video, or short clip from “The Lord of the Rings.” Again, HR decreased, and RSA increased during video segments, yet without expected group differences across different video types. We found higher parental care and lower parental overprotection to predict higher RSA at different times during the experiment. Interestingly, lower paternal overprotection predicted overall higher RSA. These results suggest a generic relaxation effect of video interventions on autonomic regulation that we discuss in light of different theories mapping restorative effects of natural environments. Further, psychological characteristics like aspects of early life adversity and trait mindfulness could contribute to individual differences in autonomic regulation. This study contributes to a better understanding of autonomic and psychological responses to relaxation videos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika B E Benz
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Raphaela J Gaertner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maria Meier
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Child and Adolescent Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simona Scharndke
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Clara Jupe
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maya Wenzel
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ulrike U Bentele
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stephanie J Dimitroff
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Bernadette F Denk
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Van't Westeinde A, Patel KD. Heartfulness Meditation: A Yogic and Neuroscientific Perspective. Front Psychol 2022; 13:806131. [PMID: 35619781 PMCID: PMC9128627 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, as research into the contemplative sciences is being widely referenced, the research community would benefit from an understanding of the Heartfulness method of meditation. Heartfulness offers an in-depth experiential practice focused on the evolution of human consciousness using the ancient technique of Pranahuti (yogic Transmission) during Meditation, in combination with the more active mental practice of “Cleaning.” Both are enabled by initiation into the Heartfulness practices. These unique features distinguish Heartfulness from other paths that have been described in the scientific literature thus far. In this introductory paper, we present the Heartfulness practices, the philosophy upon which the practices are based, and we reflect on the putative mechanisms through which Heartfulness could exert its effects on the human body and mind in the light of scientific research that has been done in other meditation systems. We conclude with suggestions for future research on the Heartfulness way of meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Van't Westeinde
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit (QB83), Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kamlesh D Patel
- Heartfulness Institute, Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, India
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8
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Beshai S, Mishra S, Feeney JR, Summerfield T, Hembroff CC, Krätzig GP. Resilience in the Ranks: Trait Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Buffer the Deleterious Effects of Envy on Mental Health Symptoms among Public Safety Personnel. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105926. [PMID: 35627463 PMCID: PMC9140415 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Public safety personnel (PSP) face frequent stressors that increase their risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety. In addition to being exposed to potentially traumatic events, PSP trainees may face a compounded risk of developing mental health symptoms, as their training environments are conducive to social comparisons and the resultant painful emotion of envy. Envy is associated with numerous negative health and occupational outcomes. Fortunately, there are several individual difference factors associated with increased emotional regulation, and such factors may offer resilience against the damaging mental health effects of envy. In this study, we examined the interplay between dispositional mindfulness, self-compassion, and dispositional envy in predicting job satisfaction, stress, experience of positive and negative emotions, subjective resilience, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in a sample of police trainees (n = 104). A substantial minority of trainees reported clinically significant symptoms of depression (n = 19:18.3%) and anxiety (n = 24:23.1%) in accordance with the cut-off scores on screening measures. Consistent with hypotheses, dispositional envy was associated with lower job satisfaction, greater stress, and greater anxiety and depression. Furthermore, envy was associated with higher negative emotions, lower positive emotions, and lower subjective resilience. Dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion were associated with greater job satisfaction, lower stress, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Moreover, mindfulness and self-compassion were both associated with lower negative emotions, higher positive emotions, and subjective resilience. The associations between envy and the relevant job and mental health outcomes were significantly diminished after controlling for mindfulness and self-compassion. This suggests that these protective traits may serve as transdiagnostic buffers to the effects of envy on mental health. The results of this study confirmed the damaging effects of envy and suggested the potential remediation of these effects through the cultivation of mindfulness and self-compassion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Beshai
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S0A2, Canada; (T.S.); (C.C.H.); (G.P.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandeep Mishra
- Department of Management, Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada;
| | - Justin R. Feeney
- Department of Management and Marketing, School of Business, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA;
| | - Tansi Summerfield
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S0A2, Canada; (T.S.); (C.C.H.); (G.P.K.)
| | - Chet C. Hembroff
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S0A2, Canada; (T.S.); (C.C.H.); (G.P.K.)
| | - Gregory P. Krätzig
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S0A2, Canada; (T.S.); (C.C.H.); (G.P.K.)
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Assi MD, Eshah NF, Rayan A. The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Conflict Resolution Styles Among Nurse Managers: A Cross-Sectional Study. SAGE Open Nurs 2022; 8:23779608221142371. [PMID: 36467312 PMCID: PMC9709178 DOI: 10.1177/23779608221142371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mindfulness might help nurse managers in dealing with conflicts. However, the relationship between mindfulness and conflict resolution styles were still not clearly understood. OBJECTIVE To identify the relationship between mindfulness and conflict resolution and to predict the conflict resolution styles of nurse managers through mindfulness. METHODS A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was employed. A convenience sample of 197 nurse managers was recruited from five public and two university hospitals. Data about nurse managers' mindfulness and conflict management styles were collected through self-reported scales. The data was collected between January and March 2020. RESULTS Mindfulness was significantly associated with integrating (r = 0.31, p < .001) and obliging (r = 0.14, p = .045) conflict resolution styles. Mindfulness was able to uniquely predict using the integrating conflict resolution style (χ² = 4.65, p = .031). CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness is uniquely related to integrating conflict resolution among nurse managers. The findings encourage stakeholders in health care organizations to develop training programs to improve managers' conflict resolution skills and to invest in managers' mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ahmad Rayan
- Faculty of Nursing, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
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10
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Tanaka M, Nakashima R, Hiromitsu K, Imamizu H. Individual Differences in the Change of Attentional Functions With Brief One-Time Focused Attention and Open Monitoring Meditations. Front Psychol 2021; 12:716138. [PMID: 34777095 PMCID: PMC8585987 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.716138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is increasingly used for clinical treatment and to improve well-being. One of the most fundamental benefits of mindfulness meditation is now considered as enhanced attentional control. Mindfulness meditation is a complex technique but most of its variants consist of a combination of two types of basic meditation practice: focused attention meditation (FAM) and open monitoring meditation (OMM). Although many studies have examined the effect of relatively long-term meditation on attention, some recent studies have focused on the effect of a brief one-time meditation on cognitive processing, including attentional functions. Furthermore, it is necessary to discuss the relationship between the effect of mindfulness meditation on attentional functions and personality traits (especially traits related to mindfulness). This study investigated whether attentional control is improved by a single 30-min FAM or OMM and whether the degree of improvement in attentional functions – alerting, orienting, and conflict monitoring – induced by the meditation varies according to the participant’s trait scores related to mindfulness measured by the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, i.e., FAM, OMM, and no-meditation (noM) groups, and given an Attentional Network Test before and after each 30-min meditation session. Compared with the noM group, there was no overall improvement in attentional functions with either type of meditation. However, there were associations between the change of the alerting function’s score and the personality traits: in the FAM group, alerting scores were negatively associated with the nonreactivity facet of the FFMQ, and in the OMM group, alerting scores were positively associated with describing facet scores of the FFMQ. The results indicate that the effects of meditation methods on attentional functions could depend on the individual’s traits related to mindfulness and that mindfulness meditation could sometimes appear to have no impact on attentional functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Tanaka
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Nakashima
- Department of Intelligence Science and Technology, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,RIKEN CBS-TOYOTA Collaboration Center, RIKEN, Wako, Japan
| | - Kentaro Hiromitsu
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Cognitive Mechanisms Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Imamizu
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Cognitive Mechanisms Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), Kyoto, Japan.,Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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The effects of MBCT on the function of attentional networks. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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12
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Vilaverde RF, Correia AI, Lima CF. Higher trait mindfulness is associated with empathy but not with emotion recognition abilities. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:192077. [PMID: 32968498 PMCID: PMC7481693 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.192077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mindfulness involves an intentional and non-judgemental attention or awareness of present-moment experiences. It can be cultivated by meditation practice or present as an inherent disposition or trait. Higher trait mindfulness has been associated with improved emotional skills, but evidence comes primarily from studies on emotion regulation. It remains unclear whether improvements extend to other aspects of emotional processing, namely the ability to recognize emotions in others. In the current study, 107 participants (M age = 25.48 years) completed a measure of trait mindfulness, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and two emotion recognition tasks. These tasks required participants to categorize emotions in facial expressions and in speech prosody (modulations of the tone of voice). They also completed an empathy questionnaire and attention tasks. We found that higher trait mindfulness was associated positively with cognitive empathy, but not with the ability to recognize emotions. In fact, Bayesian analyses provided substantial evidence for the null hypothesis, both for emotion recognition in faces and in speech. Moreover, no associations were observed between mindfulness and attention performance. These findings suggest that the positive effects of trait mindfulness on emotional processing do not extend to emotion recognition abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - César F. Lima
- Centro de Investigação e Intervenção Social (CIS-IUL), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026Portugal
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13
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Can clinical psychology students benefit from brief and intensive mindfulness training? COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/capr.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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14
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Girardeau JC, Blondé P, Makowski D, Abram M, Piolino P, Sperduti M. The impact of state and dispositional mindfulness on prospective memory: A virtual reality study. Conscious Cogn 2020; 81:102920. [PMID: 32305659 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prospective memory (PM) consists of remembering to perform an action that was previously planned. The recovery and execution of these actions require attentional resources. Mindfulness, as a state or a dispositional trait, has been associated with better attentional abilities while mind wandering is linked with attentional failures. In this study, we investigated the impact of mindfulness on PM. Eighty participants learned 15 cue-action associations. They were, then, asked to recall the actions at certain moments (time-based items) or places (event-based items) during a walk in a virtual town. Before the PM task, participants were randomly assigned to a mindfulness or mind wandering (control condition) session. Dispositional mindfulness was measured via the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Although considered as two opposite states, we did not report any difference between the two groups on PM abilities. Nevertheless, the natural tendency to describe one's own sensations (the Describing facet of the FFMQ) predicted time-based performance in both groups. We discuss different hypotheses to explain this finding in light of recent findings on the impact of mind wandering on future oriented cognition. Our main observation is a positive link between the Describing facet and time-based PM performances. We propose that this link could be due to the common association of this mindfulness facets and PM with attentional and interoceptive abilities. Additional studies are needed to explore this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Charles Girardeau
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau & Cognition (MC(2)Lab, EA7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Philippe Blondé
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau & Cognition (MC(2)Lab, EA7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Makowski
- School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maria Abram
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau & Cognition (MC(2)Lab, EA7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Pascale Piolino
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau & Cognition (MC(2)Lab, EA7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), France
| | - Marco Sperduti
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau & Cognition (MC(2)Lab, EA7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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15
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Svendsen JL, Schanche E, Osnes B, Vøllestad J, Visted E, Dundas I, Nordby H, Binder PE, Sørensen L. Is Dispositional Self-Compassion Associated With Psychophysiological Flexibility Beyond Mindfulness? An Exploratory Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2020; 11:614. [PMID: 32328014 PMCID: PMC7160328 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion are shown to associate with less self-reported emotional distress. However, previous studies have indicated that dispositional self-compassion may be an even more important buffer against such distress than dispositional mindfulness. To our knowledge, no study has yet disentangled the relationship between dispositional self-compassion and mindfulness and level of psychophysiological flexibility as measured with vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV). The aim was thus to provide a first exploratory effort to expand previous research relying on self-report measures by including a psychophysiological measure indicative of emotional stress reactivity. METHODS Fifty-three university students filled out the "Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire" (FFMQ) and the "Self-Compassion Scale" (SCS), and their heart rate was measured during a 5 min resting electrocardiogram. Linear hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the common and unique variance explained by the total scores of the FFMQ and the SCS on level of resting vmHRV. RESULTS Higher SCS total scores associated significantly with higher levels of vmHRV also when controlling for the FFMQ total scores. The SCS uniquely explained 7% of the vmHRV. The FFMQ total scores did not associate with level of vmHRV. CONCLUSION These results offer preliminary support that dispositional self-compassion associates with better psychophysiological regulation of emotional arousal above and beyond mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lillebostad Svendsen
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Schanche
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Berge Osnes
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Bjørgvin District Psychiatric Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon Vøllestad
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
| | - Endre Visted
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingrid Dundas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Helge Nordby
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per-Einar Binder
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lin Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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16
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Bigliassi M, Galano BM, Lima-Silva AE, Bertuzzi R. Effects of mindfulness on psychological and psychophysiological responses during self-paced walking. Psychophysiology 2020; 57:e13529. [PMID: 31953844 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an audio-guided mindfulness (MF) single session on psychological and psychophysiological responses during an outdoor walking task. Twenty-four participants (12 females and 12 males; Mage = 23.6, SD = 3.9 years) were required to walk 200 m at a pace of their choosing. Two experimental conditions (mindfulness meditation and mindlessness [ML] meditation) and a control condition (CO) were administered. Electrical activity in the brain was measured by the use of a portable electroencephalography (EEG) system during walking. Fast Fourier Transform was used to decompose the EEG samples into theta (5-7 Hz), alpha (8-14 Hz), and beta (15-29 Hz) frequencies. Brain connectivity analysis between frontal and temporo-parietal electrode sites was conducted to explore functional interactions through the use of spectral coherence. Affective and perceptual responses were measured by the use of single-item scales and questionnaires. The present findings indicate that MF was sufficiently potent to reallocate attention toward task-related thoughts, downregulate perceived activation, and enhance affective responses to a greater degree than the other two conditions. Conversely, ML was sufficient to increase the use of dissociative thoughts, make participants less aware of their physical sensations and emotions, induce a more negative affective state, and upregulate perceived activation to a greater extent than MF and CO. The brain mechanisms that underlie the effects of MF on exercise appear to be associated with the enhanced inter-hemispheric connectivity of high-frequency waves between right frontal and left temporo-parietal areas of the cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Bigliassi
- School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno M Galano
- School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriano E Lima-Silva
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Romulo Bertuzzi
- School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Sørensen L, Wass S, Osnes B, Schanche E, Adolfsdottir S, Svendsen JL, Visted E, Eilertsen T, Jensen DA, Nordby H, Fasmer OB, Binder PE, Koenig J, Sonuga-Barke E. A psychophysiological investigation of the interplay between orienting and executive control during stimulus conflict: A heart rate variability study. Physiol Behav 2019; 211:112657. [PMID: 31445015 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that resting state cardiac vagal activity (CVA) - an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system activity - is a specific psychophysiological marker of executive control function. Here, we propose an alternative hypothesis - that CVA is associated with early stage attention orientation, promoting the flexible uptake of new information, on which the later operation of such executive control functions depends. We therefore predicted that CVA would predict the interaction between orienting and executive control. This was tested using the revised version of the Attention Network Test (ANT-R) that was developed to distinguish between orienting and executive attention during a stimulus conflict task. METHODS Healthy adults (N = 48) performed the ANT-R and their resting CVA was measured over a 5 min period using ECG recordings. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses indicated that, when other factors were controlled for, CVA was more strongly associated with the interaction between the orienting and executive control terms than with either factor individually. CONCLUSION Higher levels of CVA are specifically implicated in the modulation of executive control by intrinsic orientation operating at early stages of conflict detection. These initial findings of higher CVA on orienting attention in conflict detection need to be replicated in larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway.
| | - S Wass
- University of East London, London, UK
| | - B Osnes
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway; Bjørgvin District Psychiatric Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - E Schanche
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - S Adolfsdottir
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - J L Svendsen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway; Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - E Visted
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway; Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - T Eilertsen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - D A Jensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - H Nordby
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - O B Fasmer
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - P-E Binder
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - J Koenig
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - E Sonuga-Barke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, UK; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University, Denmark
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