The Effect of Longitudinal Short-Meditation Interventions on the Cognitive Alerting Network

Introduction

Research shows that an improved ability to maintain an alert state, that is a readiness to engage in attentional processing, arises in long-term meditators. This paper extends this finding, demonstrating improved vigilance in novices using short meditation interventions.

Method

We used a longitudinal design (1 pre-test session, 8 sessions x 8 minutes over 4 weeks) which was completed by 57 undergraduate novices. Each session, other than the pre-test session, contained an intervention (body scan meditation vs. mindful colouring vs. video watching) followed by an Attention Network Test (ANT), as well as mood and mindfulness state questionnaires.

Results

A significant interaction was found between groups in their ANT Alerting scores from pre-test to post 8th intervention (F (2, 54) = 3.17, p = .050). The meditative groups’ alerting scores remained fairly stable but both the control groups’ scores increased on the final test meaning that they took longer to respond. There was also a significant interaction between Mindful Attention Awareness Scale scores pre- and post- individual interventions (F (2, 52) = 3.21, p = .049) with the meditation and colouring groups increasing their mindfulness scores compared to a reduction in the video group score.

Discussion

Results suggest that even short mindfulness interventions can positively impact individuals’ abilities to maintain higher levels of attentional alertness and vigilance in certain tasks. However, the duration of these effects remains unclear.