The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Proactive and Reactive Cognitive Control

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that mindfulness practice can improve general cognitive control. However, little research has examined whether mindfulness practices affect different cognitive control strategies. According to the dual mechanisms of control (DMC) model, different cognitive control strategies may play distinct roles in individuals’ lives. Proactive control allows people to maintain and prepare for goals, whereas reactive control allows them to respond flexibly to a changing environment. Thus, this study investigates the influences of mindfulness training on proactive and reactive control measured by the AX version of the Continuous Performance Test (AX-CPT). Thirty participants completed AX-CPT and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before and after random assignment to either an 8-week mindfulness training group or a control group. The results showed no interaction between group and test time for AY or BX trial type, but the training group had fewer post-test errors on the BX trial and a higher Behavior Shift Index (BSI) of reaction time (RT) compared with the control group. This finding indicates enhanced trend of proactive control with mindfulness training. A positive correlation between the BSI of RT and observing scores on the FFMQ confirmed the connection between attentional components in mindfulness and proactive control. Errors on the AY trial in the post-test decreased in both groups, reflecting reactive control that did not differ between groups. The 8-week mindfulness training demonstrates a potential improvement effect on proactive control and could be helpful in overcoming interference.

The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Cognitive Flexibility in Sixth-grade Female Students

“…The results showed that there was a significant difference in post-test scores between the experimental and control groups in the scores related to cognitive flexibility, and considering the higher mean scores of the cognitive flexibility of the experimental group in the post-test, it can be stated that mindfulness training was effective in increasing students' cognitive flexibility. The results were in line with similar studies conducted Abdi et al (2016), (Kurmi et al, 2015), Pour Mohammadi and Bagheri (2015), Li et al (2018), Hartkamp and Thornton (2017), Murphy-Beiner and Soar (2020), and (Yadav, 2019).…”

“…Thus, the results indicated the effect of mindfulness training on reducing automatic cognitive processing and the fact that automatic cognitive processing is the opposite of cognitive flexibility. In addition, Li, Liu, Zhang, Liu, and Wei (2018) investigated the effect of mindfulness training on preventive and reactive cognitive control. Their research showed that eight sessions of mindfulness training improved people's scores on preventive and reactive cognitive control.…”

The Effects of 8-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Cognitive Control: an EEG Study

“…Recently, cognitive control mechanisms have been investigated in people who participated to a MBSR program (Kabat-Zinn 1990), a structured and standardized intervention. In a study (Li et al 2018), the AX-Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT) paradigm was used. This paradigm tests the dynamic interaction between proactive and reactive cognitive control mechanisms (e.g., Dias et al 2003;Gonthier et al 2016;Morales et al 2015;Richmond et al 2015).…”

“…The task requires to respond to probe stimulus according to the preceding cue stimulus. The study by Li et al (2018) showed a shift toward the use of more proactive control processes in a group engaged in a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program. However, no significant interactions emerged when comparing the MBCT with a waiting list control group.…”

The Mediating Role of Non-reactivity to Mindfulness Training and Cognitive Flexibility: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…MBI alleviates psychological distress (e.g., stress, anxiety, mood symptoms) with medium effect sizes compared to waitlist controls (Hedge's gs = 0.41−0.53), and active treatment controls (Hedge's gs = 0.33−0.5) (Hofmann et al, 2010;Khoury et al, 2013). Additionally, preliminary evidence supports that MBI enhances cognitive abilities (e.g., cognitive flexibility, attention, and executive functioning), which might affect social functioning (Lutz et al, 2015;Li et al, 2018;Wielgosz et al, 2019). Some studies suggest that cognitive flexibility promotes effective management of stressful life events, and is associated with good mental health (Kashdan and Rottenberg, 2010;Logue and Gould, 2014).…”