Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Meditation |
| Editors | Narayanan Srinivasan |
| Pages | 323-354 |
| Number of pages | 32 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
Publication series
| Name | Progress in Brain Research |
|---|---|
| Volume | 244 |
| ISSN (Print) | 0079-6123 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 1875-7855 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Funding
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corp, or U.S. Government. We thank Keith Chichester, Emily Schwartz, Joanna Witkin, and Lindsey Slavin for their assistance with data collection, and MBAT advisory board members Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt, Col. (R) Michael Brumage, Col. (R) Charles Hogue, Sharon Salzberg, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Dr. Michael Gervais for their guidance and input in program development. We thank our participants for their involvement in this project and dedicate this paper to the SOF Warrior R.T. This research was supported by Henry Jackson Foundation Grant #HU0001-15-2-0003 with subaward #3479 to A.P.J. Clinical Trial #: NCT03310112 . The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corp, or U.S. Government. We thank Keith Chichester, Emily Schwartz, Joanna Witkin, and Lindsey Slavin for their assistance with data collection, and MBAT advisory board members Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt, Col. (R) Michael Brumage, Col. (R) Charles Hogue, Sharon Salzberg, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Dr. Michael Gervais for their guidance and input in program development. We thank our participants for their involvement in this project and dedicate this paper to the SOF Warrior R.T. This research was supported by Henry Jackson Foundation Grant #HU0001-15-2-0003 with subaward #3479 to A.P.J. Clinical Trial #: NCT03310112.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Defense | |
| Henry M. Jackson Foundation | 0001-15-2-0003, NCT03310112, 3479 |
| Henry M. Jackson Foundation | |
| U.S. Public Health Service |
Keywords
- Attention
- Cognitive training
- Mindfulness
- Working memory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience