Author: Zanesco AP1, Denkova E1, Rogers SL2, MacNulty WK3, Jha AP4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.
<sup>2</sup>School of Law, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.
<sup>3</sup>United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD, United States.
<sup>4</sup>Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States. Electronic address: a.jha@miami.edu.
Conference/Journal: Prog Brain Res.
Date published: 2019
Other:
Volume ID: 244 , Pages: 323-354 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.001. Epub 2018 Nov 27. , Word Count: 210
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.
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS: Attention; Cognitive training; Mindfulness; Working memory
PMID: 30732844 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.001