The Influence of a Short-Term Mindfulness Meditation Intervention on Emotion and Visual Attention
C. Thompson, Eileen Quigley, Ashley Taylor
Journal of Cognitive Enhancement June 13, 2020 DOI: 10.1007/s41465-020-00174-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 70 |
| Population | Adult participants completing a computer-based global-local processing task |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Breath-counting task |
| Duration | Three blocks of trials with 10-min breaks between each |
| Measures | global-local processing task, self-reported emotional affect |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness meditation had no impact on the scope of visual attention, as measured by response times to global and local targets. Both positive and negative affect decreased for the mindfulness group across the experiment. The authors suggest this indicates possible changes to focused attention, but that a short-term intervention is not sufficient to broaden attention. |
Abstract
It has been suggested that mindfulness meditation (MM) improves psychological well-being via the focusing and broadening of attention. Whilst studies show that short-term MM interventions can improve focused attention, there is little evidence to support the broadening of attention. The current study investigated the influence of a short-term MM intervention on emotion and the scope of visual attention. Seventy participants completed a global-local processing task separated into three blocks of trials, with a 10-min break between each one. During the breaks, a MM group engaged in a breath-counting task and a control group engaged in a task of their choosing. Response times to global and local targets and a measure of self-reported emotional affect were recorded for each block. Mindfulness had no impact on attention; however, both positive and negative affect decreased for the MM group across the course of the experiment. The results suggest that MM can reduce the focus on negative (and positive) thoughts, indicating possible changes to focused attention, yet a short-term intervention is not sufficient to broaden attention.
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 3
- Meditating musicians: investigating the experience of music students and professional musicians in a brief mindfulness course to address music performance anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- A meta-analytical review of the impact of mindfulness on creativity: Framing current lines of research and defining moderator variables. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review July 13, 2023
- Self-caught methodologies for measuring mind wandering with meta-awareness: A systematic review. Consciousness and Cognition February 2023
Cites 18
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
and 13 more in the library