Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering

Abstract

Given that the ability to attend to a task without distraction underlies performance in a wide variety of contexts, training one's ability to stay on task should result in a similarly broad enhancement of performance. In a randomized controlled investigation, we examined whether a 2-week mindfulness-training course would decrease mind wandering and improve cognitive performance. Mindfulness training improved both GRE reading-comprehension scores and working memory capacity while simultaneously reducing the occurrence of distracting thoughts during completion of the GRE and the measure of working memory. Improvements in performance following mindfulness training were mediated by reduced mind wandering among participants who were prone to distraction at pretesting. Our results suggest that cultivating mindfulness is an effective and efficient technique for improving cognitive function, with wide-reaching consequences.

A More Rigorous Examination of the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Working Memory Capacity

“…The lack of time by group interaction is consistent with prior work demonstrating that mindfulness meditation may enhance working memory capacity and functioning, but not consistently differentiate a mindfulness meditation group from an active control group on working memory capacity measures (Banks et al 2015;Jha et al 2010Jha et al , 2017Morrison et al 2014;Mrazek et al 2013;Quach et al 2016). The first potential explanation is that mindfulness meditation does not enhance working memory capacity when controlling for non-specific effects (e.g., engaging in training, expecting improvement).…”

“…The current study investigated if mindfulness meditation could enhance the capacity of the working memory system using recommended rigorous criteria for reaching such a conclusion: using multiple, valid indicators of working memory capacity different from the tasks participants trained on, and demonstrating improvement relative to an active, adaptive control group. This extends previous reports of working memory capacity improvement following mindfulness meditation training by using stringent design criteria that previous studies had not fully incorporated (Banks et al 2015;Jha et al 2010Jha et al , 2017Mrazek et al 2013;Quach et al 2016;Van Dam et al 2017;Zeidan et al 2010). It was hypothesized that the mindfulness meditation group would significantly improve working memory capacity from pretest to posttest, whereas the cognitive training group would not demonstrate such improvement.…”

“…It is currently an open empirical question as to what specific benefits-if any-are observed after a specific duration of a specific style of mindfulness meditation training using a well-controlled study design (Van Dam et al 2017). Studies with only one session of mindfulness training have shown no cognitive benefits (Banks et al 2015;Johnson et al 2015) whereas studies with longer duration mindfulness training (e.g., 2 to 8 weeks) have shown more robust cognitive benefits (Jha et al 2010(Jha et al , 2017Mrazek et al 2013). As the current study is the first to test the benefits of focused attention mindfulness meditation training on working memory capacity using recommended rigorous criteria (Shipstead et al 2012a, b), observation of any benefit following mindfulness training in the current study can inform future research.…”

“…Improvements in working memory functioning (Zeidan et al 2010), working memory capacity (Mrazek et al 2013;Quach et al 2016), and complex cognition (Mrazek et al) have been observed following training in mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation has also been shown to buffer and protect working memory capacity and working memory performance from decrements due to stress (Jha et al 2010(Jha et al , 2017 and negative affect (Banks et al 2015).…”

“…The previously mentioned mindfulness meditation studies that demonstrated working memory capacity improvement have included some or most of these criteria in their study design, but not all. That is, mindfulness meditation is a technique different from tested outcome measures (criteria 3) that has been shown to improve performance on valid (criteria 2), individual measures of working memory capacity and working memory functioning when compared to an active control group (part of criteria 4) (Banks et al 2015;Jha et al 2010;Mrazek et al 2013;Quach et al 2016;Zeidan et al 2010). The main goal of the current study was to more rigorously investigate the efficacy of mindfulness meditation by using, as part of the study design, all of the aforementioned criteria recommended by the reviews of the computerized working memory training literature.…”