Attentional and affective consequences of technology supported mindfulness training: a randomised, active control, efficacy trial.
Sheffy Bhayee, Patricia Tomaszewski, Daniel H Lee, Graeme Moffat, Lou Pino, Sylvain Moreno, Norman A. S. Farb
BMC Psychology November 29, 2016 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-016-0168-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized active-controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Community-dwelling healthy adult participants |
| Interventions | Neurofeedback-assisted daily online math training |
| Duration | 6 weeks of daily practice |
| Measures | Stroop task, Brief Symptom Inventory, daily post-training surveys |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | N-tsMT produced training-specific improvements in overall reaction time on a Stroop task and reduced somatic symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory relative to an active control, with attention and well-being improvements correlated and strongest in the most neurotic participants. Secondary exploratory attention and well-being measures showed no training-specific effects. The authors describe the benefits as modest and call for replication in a larger sample. |
Abstract
Mindfulness training (MT) programs represent an approach to attention training with well-validated mental health benefits. However, research supporting MT efficacy is based predominantly on weekly-meeting, facilitator-led, group-intervention formats. It is unknown whether participants might benefit from neurofeedback-assisted, technology-supported MT (N-tsMT), in which meditation is delivered individually, without the need for a facilitator, travel to a training site, or the presence of a supportive group environment. Mirroring the validation of group MT interventions, the first step in addressing this question requires identifying whether N-tsMT promotes measurable benefits. Here, we report on an initial investigation of a commercial N-tsMT system. In a randomized, active control trial, community-dwelling healthy adult participants carried out 6 weeks of daily practice, receiving either N-tsMT (n = 13), or a control condition of daily online math training (n = 13). Training effects were assessed on target measures of attention and well-being. Participants also completed daily post-training surveys assessing effects on mood, body awareness, calm, effort, and stress. Analysis revealed training effects specific to N-tsMT, with attentional improvements in overall reaction time on a Stroop task, and well-being improvements via reduced somatic symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory. Attention and well-being improvements were correlated, and effects were greatest for the most neurotic participants. However, secondary, exploratory measures of attention and well-being did not show training-specific effects. N-tsMT was associated with greater body awareness and calm, and initially greater effort that later converged with effort in the control condition. Preliminary findings indicate that N-tsMT promotes modest benefits for attention and subjective well-being in a healthy community sample relative to an active control condition. However, the findings would benefit from replication in a larger sample, and more intensive practice or more comprehensive MT instruction might be required to promote the broader benefits typically reported in group format, facilitated MT. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN43629398 . Retrospectively registered on June 16, 2016.
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 30
- The efficacy of mindfulness apps on symptoms of depression and anxiety: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review February 1, 2024
- Heart rate variability during mindful breathing meditation Frontiers in Physiology January 23, 2023
- Mindfulness Practice with a Brain-Sensing Device Improved Cognitive Functioning of Elementary School Children: An Exploratory Pilot Study Brain Sciences January 12, 2022
- Effects on Mood and EEG States After Meditation in Augmented Reality With and Without Adjunctive Neurofeedback Frontiers in Virtual Reality March 22, 2021
- A Mindfulness‐Based Intervention: Differential Effects on Affective and Processual Evolution Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being September 6, 2018
and 25 more in the library
Cites 29
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
- A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations Psychological Medicine November 27, 2009
and 24 more in the library