Brief breath awareness training yields poorer working memory performance in the context of acute stress.

ABSTRACT: Mindfulness-based interventions that span multiple sessions over time appear to confer psychological benefits. However, the effects of brief periods of mindfulness meditation training are less clear, particularly on measures of cognitive functioning. This study assessed whether brief mindfulness practice (breath awareness) or training in two other contemplative practices - loving-kindness and gratitude - differentially impact working memory performance following acute physiological stress relative to an attentional control. Participants (n = 162) were randomly assigned to one of four training groups and completed the automated Operation Span (OSPAN) task pre-training and again after undergoing the cold pressor task. Three of the four groups improved in OSPAN performance, with loving

SUBMITTER: Goldberg SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8319214 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature