Effect of Brief Meditation Intervention on Attention: An ERP Investigation

Ten minutes of meditation improves executive control of attention in people who do not regularly meditate. Twenty-six novice participants completed a Stroop task, which measures cognitive control by introducing conflict, before and after a brief meditation intervention. Behavioral responses showed faster reaction times and greater accuracy after meditation. Neurophysiological recordings revealed more efficient allocation of attentional resources, with increases in positive ERP components (P200, P300) and a decrease in the inhibitory component (N200). The findings suggest that even short meditation sessions can positively impact attention in a non-meditating population.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Fast and efficient strategies for modulation of attention have been extensively studied recently. The present study has attempted to observe the effect of brief meditation practices on executive control of the attention system. The study recruits cognitive control by introducing conflict using Stroop task in twenty-six novice participants. Behavioral responses indicate a positive effect on response time and accuracy at Stroop task after ten minutes of meditation intervention. Neurophysiological findings suggest more efficient allocation of attentional resources. An increase in positive ERP components (P200, P300) and expected decrease in the inhibitory or negative component (N200) after intervention shows positive results. The findings suggest a positive impact of meditation intervention on attention even for brief periods in non-meditating population.