Does Intensive Mindfulness Training Strengthen Sustained Attention? Examining Individual Differences in Mind Wandering during the Sustained Attention to Response Task

Abstract

Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to benefit sustained attention and mind wandering. Yet, few studies have examined whether benefits differ as a function of individual differences in mind wandering. The sustained attention to response task (SART) measured task accuracy (A′), response time variability (response time intraindividual coefficient of variation, ICV), and self-reported mind wandering in participants before (T1) and after (T2) a 1-month MT retreat (n = 56), as well as in a control group (n = 32) who received no MT. Only the retreat group demonstrated increased A′ and reduced mind wandering, but no change in ICV, from T1 to T2. Retreat participants demonstrated reduced ICV compared to the control group only when considering individual differences in mind wandering such that retreat participants with higher levels of mind wandering at T1 demonstrated greater benefits to ICV over time. These findings suggest MT may benefit sustained attention, as seen in changes on both objective and subjective measures, and that considering baseline individual differences may increase our understanding of MT’s benefits to sustained attention.