No sustained attention differences in a longitudinal randomized trial comparing mindfulness based stress reduction versus active control.
PloS one January 1, 2014 Donal G Maccoon, Katherine A Maclean, Richard J Davidson et al. 97 citations
Eight weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training did not improve sustained attention more than an active control program (Health Enhancement Program, HEP) in a randomized trial with 63 community participants. The study used a visual continuous performance task to measure attention. Although the main hypotheses were not confirmed, some evidence suggested improved visual discrimination similar to effects seen in other research. Attentional sensitivity was not affected by MBSR, and it remains unclear whether mindfulness might positively affect vigilance. The results highlight procedural modifications needed for future research on sustained attention in similar samples.