Ricerc@Sapienza

Mind wandering is characterized by the absence of cognitive focus on a task, due to interfering spontaneous mentation. Despite a
large number of investigations on mind wandering and mindfulness training in recent years, very few studies have directly
investigated the effects of mindfulness training on mind wandering. In this study, we originally investigated the effects of
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on objective and subjective indices of mind wandering, by using the
sustained attention to response task (SART), in combination with the assessment of dispositional mindfulness facets through
the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). To this aim, 60 participants were distributed into two groups using a
stratified random assignment, based on meditation experience. One group took part in the training, whereas the other was a
control, waiting condition. From this original sample, 37 people completed all assignments and were included in the study (20 in
the experimental group and 17 in the control). We compared the performance at SART, as well as the dispositional measures of
the two groups, before and after the intervention. We found that MBSR training led to a reduction of attentional lapses and to
increased scores in self-reported dispositional mindfulness facets. However, we did not find such reduction in thought probe
reports of attentional focus and meta-awareness. The collective results highlight the importance of studying the association of
behavioral, self-reported thought probes and dispositional mindfulness while investigating the effects of mindfulness training on
cognitive and metacognitive functions.