TY - JOUR
T1 - Mindfulness training as cognitive training in high-demand cohorts
T2 - An initial study in elite military servicemembers
AU - Zanesco, Anthony P.
AU - Denkova, Ekaterina
AU - Rogers, Scott
AU - MacNulty, William K.
AU - Jha, Amishi P.
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Cognitive ability is a key selection criterion for entry into many elite professions. Herein, we investigate whether mindfulness training (MT) can enhance cognitive performance in elite military forces. The cognitive effects of a short-form 8-h MT program contextualized for military cohorts, referred to as Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT), were assessed. Servicemembers received either a 2-week (n = 40) or 4-week (n = 36) version of MBAT or no training (NTC, n = 44). Sustained attention and working memory task performance along with self-reported cognitive failures were assessed at study onset (T1) and 8-weeks later (T2). In contrast to both the NTC and 2-week MT groups, the 4-week MT group significantly improved over time on attention and working memory outcome measures. Among the 4-week more so than the 2-week MBAT participants, working memory performance improvements were correlated with their amount of out-of-class MT practice. In addition to these group-wise effects, all participants receiving MBAT decreased in their self-reported cognitive failures from T1 to T2. Importantly, none of these improvements were related to self-reported task motivation. Together, these results suggest that short-form MT, when delivered over a 4-week delivery schedule, may be an effective cognitive training tool in elite military cohorts.
AB - Cognitive ability is a key selection criterion for entry into many elite professions. Herein, we investigate whether mindfulness training (MT) can enhance cognitive performance in elite military forces. The cognitive effects of a short-form 8-h MT program contextualized for military cohorts, referred to as Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT), were assessed. Servicemembers received either a 2-week (n = 40) or 4-week (n = 36) version of MBAT or no training (NTC, n = 44). Sustained attention and working memory task performance along with self-reported cognitive failures were assessed at study onset (T1) and 8-weeks later (T2). In contrast to both the NTC and 2-week MT groups, the 4-week MT group significantly improved over time on attention and working memory outcome measures. Among the 4-week more so than the 2-week MBAT participants, working memory performance improvements were correlated with their amount of out-of-class MT practice. In addition to these group-wise effects, all participants receiving MBAT decreased in their self-reported cognitive failures from T1 to T2. Importantly, none of these improvements were related to self-reported task motivation. Together, these results suggest that short-form MT, when delivered over a 4-week delivery schedule, may be an effective cognitive training tool in elite military cohorts.
KW - Attention
KW - Cognitive training
KW - Mindfulness
KW - Working memory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85057077354&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85057077354&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.001
DO - 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 30732844
AN - SCOPUS:85057077354
JO - Progress in Brain Research
JF - Progress in Brain Research
SN - 0079-6123
ER -