Limor Shemesh1, Avi Mendelsohn1,2,3, Daniel Yochai Panitz1,2, Aviva Berkovich-Ohana4,5,6,7. 1. Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. 2. The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. 3. The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. 4. The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. avivabo@edu.haifa.ac.il. 5. Faculty of Education, Department of Learning, Instruction and Teacher Education, Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. avivabo@edu.haifa.ac.il. 6. Edmond Safra Brain Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. avivabo@edu.haifa.ac.il. 7. Faculty of Education, The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. avivabo@edu.haifa.ac.il.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Mindfulness meditation (MM) practice is considered to benefit physical and mental health. In particular, several studies have shown a beneficial effect of MM practice on memory performance. However, it is still not clear how long-term training affects long-term declarative memory. In this study we aimed to examine whether long-term MM training impacts declarative memory formation for diverse memoranda types, as well as the role of trait mindfulness, and the possible mediating role of anxiety. METHODS: We examined long-term memory performance in 23 experienced MM practitioners and 22 meditation-naïve age-matched individuals, by administering a variety of declarative memory tests, ranging from item recognition to narrative and autobiographical memory recollection and future projection. The participants also filled the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Compared to the control group, long-term MM practitioners exhibited heightened memory performance for the picture recognition test and experienced enhanced vividness during autobiographic memory retrieval and future simulations. We also report a significant trait mindfulness and memory performance correlation, stemming exclusively from the Mm group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings extend previous reports of the beneficial effect of a short-term MM training on memory performance, by showing the beneficial effect of long-term training on declarative memory. We also provide initial evidence that trait mindfulness is positively correlated with declarative memory performance, as a function of MM practice, and discuss these findings in light of the role of self-mode and cognitive diffusion, as well as attention and emotion.
OBJECTIVES: Mindfulness meditation (MM) practice is considered to benefit physical and mental health. In particular, several studies have shown a beneficial effect of MM practice on memory performance. However, it is still not clear how long-term training affects long-term declarative memory. In this study we aimed to examine whether long-term MM training impacts declarative memory formation for diverse memoranda types, as well as the role of trait mindfulness, and the possible mediating role of anxiety. METHODS: We examined long-term memory performance in 23 experienced MM practitioners and 22 meditation-naïve age-matched individuals, by administering a variety of declarative memory tests, ranging from item recognition to narrative and autobiographical memory recollection and future projection. The participants also filled the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Compared to the control group, long-term MM practitioners exhibited heightened memory performance for the picture recognition test and experienced enhanced vividness during autobiographic memory retrieval and future simulations. We also report a significant trait mindfulness and memory performance correlation, stemming exclusively from the Mm group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings extend previous reports of the beneficial effect of a short-term MM training on memory performance, by showing the beneficial effect of long-term training on declarative memory. We also provide initial evidence that trait mindfulness is positively correlated with declarative memory performance, as a function of MM practice, and discuss these findings in light of the role of self-mode and cognitive diffusion, as well as attention and emotion.
Authors: J A Brefczynski-Lewis; A Lutz; H S Schaefer; D B Levinson; R J Davidson Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2007-06-27 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Ruth A Baer; Gregory T Smith; Emily Lykins; Daniel Button; Jennifer Krietemeyer; Shannon Sauer; Erin Walsh; Danielle Duggan; J Mark G Williams Journal: Assessment Date: 2008-02-29