A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Attention Training Technique and Mindful Self-Compassion for Students With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety.
Ragni B Haukaas, Ingrid B Gjerde, Grunde Varting, Håvard E Hallan, Stian Solem
Frontiers in Psychology 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00827 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 81 |
| Population | University students with self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress |
| Interventions | Attention Training Technique (ATT) Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) |
| Duration | Three-session intervention, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Rct Attention flexibility Attention training technique Metacognitive therapy Mindful self-compassion |
| Key findings | Both Attention Training Technique and Mindful Self-Compassion produced significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms and significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and attention flexibility, maintained at 6-month follow-up. Improvement in attention flexibility was the only significant unique predictor of treatment response. |
Abstract
The Attention Training Technique (ATT) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) are two promising psychological interventions. ATT is a 12-min auditory exercise designed to strengthen attentional control and promote external focus of attention, while MSC uses guided meditation and exercises designed to promote self-compassion. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), a three-session intervention trial was conducted in which university students were randomly assigned to either an ATT-group (n = 40) or a MSC-group (n = 41). The students were not assessed with diagnostic interviews but had self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Participants listened to audiotapes of ATT or MSC before discussing in groups how to apply these principles for their everyday struggles. Participants also listened to audiotapes of ATT and MSC as homework between sessions. Participants in both groups showed significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression accompanied by significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and attention flexibility post-intervention. These results were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Improvement in attention flexibility was the only significant unique predictor of treatment response. The study supports the use of both ATT and MSC for students with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Further, it suggests that symptom improvement is related to changes in attention flexibility across both theoretical frameworks. Future studies should focus on how to strengthen the ability for attention flexibility to optimize treatment for emotional disorder.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Meditation Increases the Entropy of Brain Oscillatory Activity Neuroscience February 4, 2020
- Effects of the Interculturality and Mindfulness Program (PIM) on University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education October 5, 2022
- The effectiveness of second-generation mindfulness interventions on anxiety and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review February 1, 2026
- A Meta-Analysis Examining the Efficacy and Predictors of Change in Mindfulness- and Self-Compassion-Based Interventions (MBSCIs) in Reducing Psychological Distress Among University Students. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education March 27, 2026
- The effects of short interventions of focused-attention vs. self-compassion mindfulness meditation on undergraduate students: Evidence from self-report, classroom performance, and ERPs. PLoS One January 20, 2023
and 1 more in the library
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- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
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- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management May 1, 2005
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
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