Mindfulness Training Improves Attention: Evidence from Behavioral and Event-related Potential Analyses.
Yong U Liu, Yi Hou, Huan Quan, Dongfang Zhao, Jia Zhao, Bing Cao, Yazhi Pang, Hong Chen, Xu Lei, Hong Yuan
Brain Topography March 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-023-00938-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | College students |
| Duration | Three-week mindfulness training |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Erps Mind wandering Neural correlates |
| Key findings | Three weeks of mindfulness training was associated with reduced self-caught mind wandering, faster responses, lower state anxiety, and larger N2 amplitudes in the mindfulness group, while no group-by-time interaction was found for P3. The authors suggest these results indicate improved sustained attentional capacity. |
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.
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 4
- Effects of long-term mindfulness meditation training on attentional capacity in professional male fencer athletes. Scientific Reports April 15, 2025
- The influence of mindfulness meditation on mind wandering and its mechanism Advances in Psychological Science 2023
- Adaptive Attention Processes in Mindfulness Meditation: An EEG-based Review of Modifiable Neural Correlates. Behavioural Brain Research July 1, 2026
- The impact of meditation on sustained attention in nonclinical population: An extensive review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine March 4, 2025
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- Experience sampling during fMRI reveals default network and executive system contributions to mind wandering. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences May 26, 2009
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