Luo X, Zhao J, Zhao D, Wang L, Hou Y, Liu Y, Zeng J, Yuan H, Lei X. Differences in attentional function between experienced mindfulness meditators and non-meditators. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2024 Mar 14;15:1341294. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1341294. PMID: 38563033; https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1341294/full
Introduction:
Attentional enhancement is considered a key cognitive mechanism in mindfulness meditation benefits. This study aimed to compare attentional performance in meditators versus non-meditators using the “visual oddball task” with EEG recordings.
Mindfulness meditation is described as a non-judgmental way of focusing on the present moment, including attention to bodily sensations, the surroundings, and thought content and processes. Mindfulness has been linked to improving various issues like depression and stress. Attentional control is highlighted as a central aspect of mindfulness meditation benefits. Even short mindfulness practices can enhance attention in individuals without meditation experience. Long-term meditation induces both state and trait changes in practitioners. State changes are temporary alterations in awareness during meditation, while trait changes are lasting and independent of meditation practice. Experienced meditators show superior performance in attention-related tasks. Although the ultimate aim of mindfulness interventions is not specifically to train attention, developing the skill of controlling attention is a fundamental aspect of learning mindfulness meditation and developing a mindful approach to living.. Overall, mindfulness meditation can improve attentional functions, regardless of prior experience, and lead to both temporary and lasting changes in cognitive processes.
Hypothesis:
The research study explored whether experienced mindfulness meditators can sustain effects associated with the meditative state during cognitive tasks performed without an induced mindfulness state, leading to improved cognitive performance compared to non-meditators. The investigation focused on attention-related neurophysiological EEG markers and meditation-related EEG state markers in meditators without induced mindfulness states. Participants engaged in an active “visual oddball task” which is a cognitive experiment for measuring attention-related neural activity. Mindful attention, a core component of mindfulness meditation aiding in recognizing and interrupting episodes of innatention or mind wandering, was also measured. The hypothesis posited that meditators would display heightened mindful attention levels, superior behavioral responses, and enhanced attention-related neural markers in comparison to non-meditators. Predictions included meditators reporting elevated mindful attention scores, exhibiting faster Reaction Times and higher accuracy rates, and demonstrating increased EEG signaling in meditative state-related indices. The study sought to determine if meditators’ cognitive performance without an induced meditative state during cognitive tasks would demonstrate increased reaction times and accuracy compared to non-meditator controls thus supporting the potential benefits of mindfulness practice on attention and cognitive functions beyond formal meditation sessions.
Study Design:
Participants in this study consisted of 16 meditators and 18 healthy non-meditator controls recruited through online advertising. The meditator group comprised practitioners or advanced students of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with specific inclusion criteria: previous MBSR participation, a minimum of 1 year meditation experience, and a regular practice of at least 3 hours per week for the past 3 months. All participants completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) questionnaire, a behavioral task known as the “visual oddball task”, and EEG recordings. The visual oddball task involved responding to target stimuli by pressing a key while ignoring distractors and standard stimuli to measure neural activity related to attention. Data analysis focused on accuracy rate (correct responses to total trials) and Reaction Times (RT) of accurate responses. EEG recordings, utilizing 64 channels, were taken during task performance to capture neural responses to different stimuli types (target and distractor), and measure established EEG indices of meditative states. The study aimed to explore how meditators and non-meditators differ in responding to rare stimuli types without induced mindfulness, providing insights into the impact of meditation on attention and neural processing.
Results:
The study found that individuals who practiced mindfulness meditation showed significantly higher scores on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) compared to non-meditators. Moreover, those who had been practicing mindfulness for longer periods tended to have even higher MAAS scores. However, there was no notable difference in terms of accuracy between the two groups. The authors noted that this may have been due to the simplicity of the design and a “ceiling effect” and that are more challenging experimental condition might show greater accuracy in the experienced meditators. This should be tested in future research. In terms of reaction time, the meditators displayed faster responses compared to the controls. Experienced mindfulness meditators exhibited increased levels of mindful attention and enhanced neurophysiological activity in EEG markers related to attention and mindful states during a non-meditative state in comparison to meditation-naïve individuals. The study’s results reinforced previous findings that meditators generally outperform non-meditators in cognitive tasks. Furthermore, meditation was highlighted as a practice that influences selective attention allocation by facilitating efficient resource allocation, broadening attention span, hastening target stimuli recognition, and enhancing attentional switching abilities. Overall, the results suggest that meditation could serve as a beneficial tool for enhancing cognitive functioning and improving attention-related processes.
