Differential benefits of mental training types for attention, compassion, and theory of mind.
Fynn-Mathis Trautwein, Philipp Kanske, Anne Böckler, Tania Singer
Cognition August 23, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2019.104039 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled longitudinal training study with retest control cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 332 |
| Population | Adults participating in three-month meditation training modules and a retest control cohort |
| Intervention | Attention training |
| Duration | Three consecutive three-month training modules |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Empathy Attention Middle aged Female Young adult Theory of mind Social cognition Psychosocial intervention Compassion Mindfulness meditation Mental training |
| Key findings | Different meditation practices produced domain-specific improvements: attention training most consistently improved attentional performance, socio-affective training most increased compassion, and socio-cognitive training partially improved theory of mind. The authors argue that specific mental training practices are needed to induce plasticity in distinct domains of mental functioning. |
Abstract
Mindfulness- and, more generally, meditation-based interventions increasingly gain popularity, effectively promoting cognitive, affective, and social capacities. It is unclear, however, if different types of practice have the same or specific effects on mental functioning. Here we tested three consecutive three-month training modules aimed at cultivating either attention, socio-affective qualities (such as compassion), or socio-cognitive skills (such as theory of mind), in three training cohorts and a retest control cohort (N = 332). While attentional performance improved most consistently after attention training, compassion increased most after socio-affective training and theory of mind partially improved after socio-cognitive training. These results show that specific mental training practices are needed to induce plasticity in different domains of mental functioning, providing a foundation for evidence-based development of more targeted interventions adapted to the needs of different education, labor, and health settings.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 45
- The Effect of Mindfulness-based Programs on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Neuropsychology Review August 4, 2021
- The Way Forward in Mindfulness and Sustainability: a Critical Review and Research Agenda Journal of Cognitive Enhancement July 2, 2020
- Wisdom-Based Buddhist-Derived Meditation Practices for Prosocial Behaviour: A Systematic Review Mindfulness March 1, 2024
- Calmer, Kinder, Wiser: A Novel Threefold Categorization for Mindfulness-Based Interventions Mindfulness December 26, 2023
- Measuring the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Program to Manage Academic Stress through a Resilience to Stress Index Sensors February 28, 2023
and 40 more in the library
Cites 24
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
and 19 more in the library