Effects of a Brief Meditation Training on Negative Affect, Trait Anxiety and Concentrated Attention

Abstract

Meditation has been associated with positive psychological outcomes, but few studies have investigated brief interventions. This randomized controlled pilot study assessed the effects of five days of focused meditation on positive and negative affect, state and trait anxiety, as well as concentrated attention in a nonclinical sample distributed in two groups (experimental = 14, 51.8% female, M age = 23.9; control = 19, 62% female, M age = 24.9). The instruments used were the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Concentrated Attention Test. The meditation group reduced negative affect and trait anxiety, and also improved correct responses on the attention test, relative to controls. These preliminary findings indicate that even short focused meditation training may help improve some psychological variables. It is discussed that the early manifestation of these benefits may be especially relevant to strengthen the motivation to continue and practice regularly. Keywords Efectos de un Breve Entrenamiento de la Meditación en el Afecto Negativo, la Ansiedad Rasgo y la Atención ConcentradaResumen: La meditación se ha relacionado con resultados psicológicos positivos, todavía intervenciones breves son poco investigadas. Este ensayo piloto controlado yaleatorio evaluó el efecto de cinco días de la meditación focalizada en el afecto positivo y negativo, en el ansiedad estado y rasgo, así como en la atención concentrada en una muestra no clínica distribuida en dos grupos (experimental = 14, 51,8% mujeres, M edad = 23,9, control = 19,62% mujeres, M edad = 24,9). Se utilizó la Escala de Afecto Positivo y Afecto Negativo, el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo y Estado, y la prueba de Atención Concentrada. La meditación ha reducido el afecto negativo y el ansiedad rasgo, así como ha aumenta do las respuestas correctas de la prueba de atención concentrada, en comparación con los controles. Estos hallazgos preliminares indican que incluso un breve entrenamiento con la meditación focalizada puede ayudar a mejorar algunas variables psicológicas. Se argumenta que la manifestación temprana de estos beneficios puede ser espe-cialmente relevante como una manera de fortalecer la motivación para práctica regular.

Brief training in mindfulness meditation reduces symptoms in patients with a chronic or recurrent lifetime history of depression: A randomized controlled study

“…Importantly, if patients are effectively trained in the strategic use of a mindful stance, such effects may arise already after relatively short periods of training (Huffziger & Kühner, 2009;Singer & Dobson, 2007). In line with this, there is now a considerable number of studies that have demonstrated beneficial effects of brief mindfulness-based interventions (Menezes & Bizarro, 2015;Tang, Lu, Feng, Tang, & Posner, 2015;Tang, Tang, Tang, & Lewis-Peacock, 2017;Tang et al, 2007;Tang et al 2010;Xue, Tang, Tang, & Posner, 2014;Zeidan, Johnson, Diamond, David, & Goolkasian, 2010). Yet, many of these studies were aimed at investigating mechanisms and principles in non-clinical or analogue samples.…”

Mindfulness and Attention: Current State-of-Affairs and Future Considerations

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Affect and Incident Participation Restriction in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis

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