Stroop task data for the novices group.

The present study investigated acute cognitive effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) compared to an active control intervention in meditators (n = 22) and novices (n = 20) using a within-subject design. We analyzed reaction times in a digitized Stroop task at baseline, after a 10-minute MM session with a fundamental breathing exercise, and after a 10-minute attentive listening intervention. Interventions order was randomized and a 10 min delay was respected before testing. Relative to baseline, meditators and novices showed faster reaction times after both interventions, but more so after MM for the congruent and incongruent Stroop task conditions that are associated with attention, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Although the two interventions showed cognitive effects independent of previous meditation experience, MM appeared to induce larger benefits. Our findings are encouraging and support MM’s potential as a means to enhance cognitive performance on the short-term without the need of any previous practice.

本研究采用被试内实验设计，对比探究了正念冥想（mindfulness meditation, MM）与主动对照干预对冥想经验者（n=22）及冥想新手（n=20）的急性认知影响。本研究分析了数字化斯特鲁普任务（Stroop Task）中的反应时，测试节点涵盖基线状态、完成10分钟正念冥想练习（辅以基础呼吸训练）后，以及完成10分钟专注聆听干预后。干预顺序采用随机化设计，且所有测试前均预留10分钟的间隔时长。相较于基线状态，冥想经验者与新手在两种干预后均表现出更快的反应时，但在正念冥想干预后，与注意、抑制及认知灵活性相关的斯特鲁普任务一致试次与不一致试次条件下，反应时的提升更为显著。尽管两种干预均展现出不受既往冥想经验影响的认知效益，但正念冥想所带来的收益更为突出。本研究结果令人鼓舞，证实了正念冥想无需既往练习即可在短期内提升认知表现的潜力。