Effects of Brief Mindfulness Meditation on Attention Switching
T. Jankowski, Paweł Holas
Mindfulness February 10, 2020 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-020-01314-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 74 |
| Population | Undergraduates |
| Interventions | brief mindfulness training worry induction free mind-wandering |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training reduced overall reaction times compared with worry and mind-wandering conditions, but did not affect switch cost. |
Abstract
Attention switching is postulated in many theories as a crucial executive function related to mindfulness. However, the existing literature does not provide convincing support for this claim. Based on the attentional control theory, the presented experiment tested the hypothesis that brief mindfulness training improves attention switching in the presence of anxiety. Seventy-four undergraduates (53 women) with an average age of 22.25 years (SD = 2.42) performed a pre-test switching task, watched an emotional film clip, and then were randomly assigned to three conditions: brief mindfulness training, worry induction, and free mind-wandering, followed by a post-test switching task. We found reduced overall reaction times (i.e., for both switch and no-switch trials) in mindfulness compared with worry and free mind-wandering conditions (F[2,68.9] = 5.09, p = .009, η2 = .13), but no differences between conditions with regard to the switch cost. The results are discussed in the context of working memory capacity and processing speed theory. We suggest that mindfulness may release attentional resources otherwise engaged in the inhibition of task-irrelevant thinking associated with anxiety and thus facilities the general efficiency of cognitive processes. Suggestions for future research are proposed.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Mindfulness-Based Programs Improve Psychological Flexibility, Mental Health, Well-Being, and Time Management in Academics European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education November 3, 2020
- The Effect of a Brief Mindfulness Practice on Perceived Stress and Sustained Attention: Does Priming Matter? Mindfulness June 6, 2022
- The Role of Attentional Control in Mindfulness Intervention for Emotional Distress: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Longitudinal Mediation Analyses. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 2024
- The influence of mindfulness meditation on mind wandering and its mechanism Advances in Psychological Science 2023
- Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors-An Exploratory Semi-Randomized Examination of Decentering Effects on Cognitive Functions and Psychological Distress. Behavioral Sciences April 3, 2025
and 12 more in the library
Cites 11
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
- A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations Psychological Medicine November 27, 2009
- Mindfulness‐based stress reduction and attentional control Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy November 1, 2007
and 6 more in the library