Mindfulness training improves attentional task performance in incarcerated youth: a group randomized controlled intervention trial

Noelle R Leonard, Amishi P Jha, Bethany Casarjian, Merissa Goolsarran, Cristina Garcia, Charles M Cleland, Marya V Gwadz, Zohar Massey, Noelle R Leonard, Amishi P Jha, Bethany Casarjian, Merissa Goolsarran, Cristina Garcia, Charles M Cleland, Marya V Gwadz, Zohar Massey

Abstract

We investigated the impact of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness training (CBT/MT) on attentional task performance in incarcerated adolescents. Attention is a cognitive system necessary for managing cognitive demands and regulating emotions. Yet persistent and intensive demands, such as those experienced during high-stress intervals like incarceration and the events leading to incarceration, may deplete attention resulting in cognitive failures, emotional disturbances, and impulsive behavior. We hypothesized that CBT/MT may mitigate these deleterious effects of high stress and protect against degradation in attention over the high-stress interval of incarceration. Using a quasi-experimental, group randomized controlled trial design, we randomly assigned dormitories of incarcerated youth, ages 16-18, to a CBT/MT intervention (youth n = 147) or an active control intervention (youth n = 117). Both arms received approximately 750 min of intervention in a small-group setting over a 3-5 week period. Youth in the CBT/MT arm also logged the amount of out-of-session time spent practicing MT exercises. The Attention Network Test was used to index attentional task performance at baseline and 4 months post-baseline. Overall, task performance degraded over time in all participants. The magnitude of performance degradation was significantly less in the CBT/MT vs. control arm. Further, within the CBT/MT arm, performance degraded over time in those with no outside-of-class practice time, but remained stable over time in those who practiced mindfulness exercises outside of the session meetings. Thus, these findings suggest that sufficient CBT/MT practice may protect against functional attentional impairments associated with high-stress intervals.

Keywords: adolescent development; attention; detained adolescents; incarcerated adolescents; mindfulness meditation; stress.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
For all participants, Time 1 Response times (ms) on the y-axis and cue type for each condition of the Alerting subsystem on the x-axis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
For all participants, Time 1 Response times (ms) on the y-axis and cue type for each condition of the Orienting subsystem on the x-axis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
For all participants, Time 1 Response times (ms) on the y-axis and cue type for each condition of the Conflict Monitoring subsystem on the x-axis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Overall accuracy (% correct) on the y-axis and time on the x-axis as a function of training group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Overall accuracy (% correct) on the y-axis and group (Controls, No Practice, and Practice) on the x-axis at Time 2 only.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Response variability on the y-axis and time on the y-axis as a function of group (Controls, No Practice, and Practice).

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