Exploring the influence of a low-dose mindfulness induction on performance and persistence in a challenging cognitive task
Faizan Imtiaz, Li‐Jun Ji, Thomas I. Vaughan‐Johnston
Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology October 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1002/jts5.32 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness induction |
| Dose | low-dose |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | A low-dose mindfulness induction did not change how strenuous participants found a difficult cognitive task, but it produced significantly greater engagement and higher low-arousal positive mood (calmness, tranquility) than a wait-list control. After the task's adversity component, mindful participants showed increased performance and persistence on a follow-up task compared with controls. |
Abstract
Emerging research is beginning to highlight the influence of mindfulness on cognitive performance. However, researchers have yet to examine how mindfulness impacts cognition after people experience adversity or challenge within a task. The present study aims to build upon the existing theoretical knowledge base by investigating how a low-dose mindfulness induction influences engagement, mood, performance, and persistence on a challenging cognitive task. It was hypothesized that compared to a wait-list control group, mindful individuals would experience greater engagement, more adaptive mood, and enhanced performance on the difficult cognitive task. Results indicated that although the mindfulness and wait-list control groups did not differ in how strenuous (difficult, stressful) they found the task, the mindfulness group reported significantly greater levels of engagement. Moreover, the mindfulness group reported higher levels of low-arousal positive mood (e.g., calmness, tranquility) compared to the control group following the task. After exposure to the adversity component of the task, mindful individuals also responded with increased performance and persistence compared to the control group on a follow-up task. Practical applications of these findings are discussed.
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
Cites 15
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Teaching self-care to caregivers: Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the mental health of therapists in training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology May 1, 2007
- Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering Psychological Science March 28, 2013
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
and 10 more in the library