Investigating the protective effects of mindfulness-based attention training on mind wandering in applied settings

IntroductionMind wandering, a phenomenon in which attention drifts away from the task-at-hand, is associated with deleterious effects on performance and well-being. As such, efforts to curb mind wandering are warranted. Recently, mindfulness training (MT) has been found to protect against mind wandering. Yet, many MT programs are at risk of falling off the implementation cliff due to challenges implementing these programs in applied settings. To mitigate against this, early-stage research in small convenience samples may be necessary to spur stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Herein, the effects of MT on mind wandering were examined via an internal meta-analysis of early-stage studies of a manualized, context-adaptable short-form MT program, referred to as Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT).MethodsFive longitudinal studies (N = 304) were conducted in a variety of organizational cohorts. Self-reported mind wandering and meta-awareness, as well as accuracy (A’) and response time variability (intra-individual coefficient of variation, ICV) during performance of the sustained attention to response task (SART) were assessed at baseline (T1) and 4 weeks later (T2) in MBAT and no-training participants.ResultsStandardized mean change (SMC) from T1 to T2 significantly differed between MBAT and no-training groups for mind wandering (ΔSMC = −0.387, p < 0.001), meta-awareness (ΔSMC = −0.374, p < 0.001), and ICV (ΔSMC = −0.376, p = 0.043), suggesting potential protective effects in self-reported and performance-based metrics of mind wandering.DiscussionThese results serve as preliminary proof-of-concept support for MBAT’s protective effects on mind wandering. Further, they suggest that MBAT is amenable to implementation across a variety of applied and organizational settings and warrants additional research employing larger sample sizes in randomized controlled designs

Fano- and Lorentz-like resonances in plasmonic nanorods

META’14 - Singapore, May 20 – 23, 2014 ; www.metaconferences.orgJ.A.S.-G. and R.P.-D. acknowledge the Spanish “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad”, through the ConsoliderIngenio project EMET (CSD2008-00066) and NANOPLAS+ (FIS2012-31070), and the “Comunidad de Madrid” (grant MICROSERES II P2009/TIC-1476), for financial support. R. P.-D. also acknowledges support from the European Social Fund and CSIC through a JAE-Pre grant.Peer Reviewe

The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Working Memory Performance in High-Demand Cohorts: a Multi-study Investigation

Working memory (WM) is critical for successful task performance and higher order cognitive functions, such as planning and decision-making. Yet, WM can become imperiled over periods of stress and high demand. This is particularly true of military service members who depend on peak cognitive functioning to maintain operational readiness and achieve mission goals, but who face intense and protracted demands across their military careers. Mindfulness training (MT) is one potential method to bolster cognitive resilience—the ability to maintain or regain cognitive capacities at risk of decline. We evaluated the efficacy of mindfulness training in six longitudinal studies conducted by our research group investigating the protective benefits of mindfulness practice on working memory. U.S. Military cohorts were recruited from several military installations and participants were assigned to either receive MT or serve as active or no-training comparison participants. Soldiers’ performance was assessed on a delayed-recognition working memory task with embedded military-relevant affective or neutral distracters before (T1) and after (T2) the MT interval. Multivariate and random effects meta-analysis of six studies indicated a consistent moderate difference between MT and comparison groups in standardized mean change (SMC) from T1 to T2. These findings support the supposition that MT protects soldiers’ working memory performance relative to controls. Implications for future research and further MT development, along with suggestions for policy on MT implementation, are discussed

Investigating the Impact of Peer-Trainer Delivered Mindfulness Training on Cognitive Abilities and Psychological Health

Objectives Mindfulness training (MT) has emerged as a promising tool to promote cognitive functioning and psychological health. As a result, demand for scalable dissemination of MT is increasing across many time-pressured settings. One such setting is the military family. Military spouses face numerous challenges and yet there is a paucity of evidence-based training programs available that are tailored to promote their cognitive functioning and psychological health. Methods In the present study, we examined the impact of a 4-week MT program contextualized for military spouses and delivered via a peer train-the-trainer approach by fellow military spouse instructors (SIs). SIs first participated in an MT teaching practicum to learn how to deliver the program. They then delivered the MT program to military spouse participants (MT group, n  = 48). The MT group was tested before (T1) and after (T2) the training interval and compared to a no-training control group (NTC group, n  = 58) that did not receive MT but completed both testing sessions. Results Compared to the NTC group, the MT group showed benefits on measures of cognitive abilities, psychological health, and well-being. Particularly, benefits were reflected in the decrease over time (T1 to T2) in daily cognitive failures and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, correlation analyses revealed that greater MT practice corresponded with greater improvements in objective attentional performance. Conclusions These findings provide initial evidence for the beneficial effects of a tailored MT program when delivered by peer trainers. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NTC03308344)