Publication
Opposite effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on sustained attention in individuals with high and low levels of dispositional mindfulness
Publisher:
Center for Open Science
Date:
15-07-2020
DOI:
10.31234/OSF.IO/8YNCA
Abstract: Objective: Some studies suggest a link between mindfulness and attentional functioning. Using transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), we tested the hypothesis that mindfulness might improve vigilance through enhanced prefrontal functioning. Methods: We compared the performance of in iduals with low versus high dispositional mindfulness (LDM vs HDM) under anodal tDCS of the right prefrontal region and in a sham condition. Results: The stimulation improved vigilance performance in the LDM group and reduced it in the HDM group. No difference was found between the groups in the sham condition. Conclusions: The results fit with the view that lower mindfulness is associated with lower attentional functioning, such that in iduals with low mindfulness benefit from the anodal stimulation of the right prefrontal region in a vigilance task. We tentatively suggest that in iduals with high dispositional mindfulness might have directed more attention to the physical discomfort produced by the stimulation (e.g., itching), thereby reducing the attention directed to the task (and, consequently, performance in this task). In sum, our results suggest a positive link between dispositional mindfulness, prefrontal functioning and vigilance performance.