Mindfulness training improves attention: Evidence from behavioral and event-related potential analyses
Liu, Yong Hou, Yi Quan, Huan Zhao, Dongfang Zhao, Jia Cao, Bing Pang, Yazhi Chen, Hong Lei, Xu Yuan, Hong
Liu, Yong
Hou, Yi
Quan, Huan
Zhao, Dongfang
Zhao, Jia
Cao, Bing
Pang, Yazhi
Chen, Hong
Lei, Xu
Yuan, Hong
Other Names
Location
Time Period
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Original Date
Digitization Date
Issue Date
2023-01-25
Type
Article
Genre
Keywords
Mindfulness,Mind wandering,Neural correlates,ERPs
Subjects (LCSH)
Citation
Liu, Y., Hou, Y., Quan, H. et al. Mindfulness Training Improves Attention: Evidence from Behavioral and Event-related Potential Analyses. Brain Topogr (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-00938-z
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation helps to improve attentional capacity. However, the neural correlates that indicate the mechanism through which mindfulness improves attention are unclear. To address this gap, we aimed to assess the effects of mindfulness training on sustained attentional capacity. Event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with the modified sustained attention response task (mSART) were used in this study. A total of 45 college students were randomly assigned to either the mindfulness group (n?=?21) or the control group (n?=?24). Participants in the mindfulness group received a three-week mindfulness training. The self-report results showed that the mindfulness group reported higher mindfulness scores (observing and non-judgment of inner experiences) after the training. The mindfulness group also scored lower on the state anxiety than the control group. Behavioral results also showed that self-caught mind wandering in the mindfulness group significantly decreased after the training, and the mindfulness group showed a faster response after the training. The ERP results showed that N2 amplitudes in the post-test were significantly greater than those in the pre-test in the mindfulness group. We did not find any interactions between group and time for P3. The findings suggest that mindfulness training can effectively improve sustained attentional capacity, as indicated by reduced mind wandering and increased N2 responses.
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Publisher
Springer
Journal
Book Title
Series
Brain Topography
2023
2023
Digital Collection
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Archival Collection
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1573-6792