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Research Papers
Attentional and affective consequences of technology supported mindfulness training: a randomised, active control, efficacy trial
Background: Mindfulness training (MT) programs represent an approach to attention training with well-validated mental health benefits. However, research supporting MT efficacy is based predominantly on weekly-meeting, facilitator-led, group-intervention formats. It is unknown whether participants might benefit from neurofeedback-assisted, technology-supported MT (N-tsMT), in which meditation is delivered individually, without the need for a facilitator, travel to a training site, or the presence of a supportive group environment. Mirroring the validation of group MT interventions, the first step in addressing this question requires identifying whether N-tsMT promotes measurable benefits. Here, we report on an initial investigation of a commercial N-tsMT system. Methods: In a randomized, active control trial, community-dwelling healthy adult participants carried out 6weeks of daily practice, receiving either N-tsMT (n=13), or a control condition of daily online math training (n=13). Training effects were assessed on target measures of attention and well-being. Participants also completed daily post-training surveys assessing effects on mood, body awareness, calm, effort, and stress. Results: Analysis revealed training effects specific to N-tsMT, with attentional improvements in overall reaction time on a Stroop task, and well-being improvements via reduced somatic symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory. Attention and well-being improvements were correlated, and effects were greatest for the most neurotic participants. However, secondary, exploratory measures of attention and well-being did not show training-specific effects. N-tsMT was associated with greater body awareness and calm, and initially greater effort that later converged with effort in the control condition. Conclusions: Preliminary findings indicate that N-tsMT promotes modest benefits for attention and subjective well-being in a healthy community sample relative to an active control condition. However, the findings would benefit from replication in a larger sample, and more intensive practice or more comprehensive MT instruction might be required to promote the broader benefits typically reported in group format, facilitated MT.
View Full Paper →Neurofeedback in Residential Children and Adolescents with Mild Mental Retardation and ADHD Behavior
Neurofeedback (NFB) research has reported improved concentration and attention in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and progress maintained over time. Would that also apply to children with an IQ between 50 and 70 (mild mental retardation [MMR]) and an IQ between 70 and 85 (borderline retardation [BR]) with characteristics of ADHD? To our knowledge this is the first NFB treatment study with long-term follow-up in this particular group. Ten adolescents with MMR and BR and ADHD received 30 sessions of quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG)-based NFB. QEEG differences with a gender- and age-matched group without mental handicap and ADHD (data provided by BRAINnet) were investigated, at pre- and posttreatment and at 6-month follow-up. Neuropsychological functioning was tested administering the Bourdon-Vos, and the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Testing Program subscales SA DOTS and SSV. Pretreatment eyes-closed EEGs were not statistically different in the children with MMR compared to the controls. With eyes open higher amplitudes were found in the lower frequencies in the children with MMR, normalizing over time. The neuropsychological tests improved for reaction times and errors. On the complex tasks in the SSV a number of errors remained. The subjects perceived an improvement in ADHD and increasingly enjoyed the study. After NFB treatment, attention and concentration in children with MMR and BR have improved. Task span and effort also increased, although impulse control remained weak. This may be explained by a limited working memory capacity. The subjective reports may have been affected by situational factors and should be interpreted with caution. This study is limited by its nonrandomized design.
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