Short-term Focused Attention Meditation Restricts the Retrieval of Stimulus-Response Bindings to Relevant Information

Abstract Objectives Goal-direct actions require integrating processing of stimuli and responses, which is why close stimulus-response bindings have to be created. However, the strength these can modified. The metacontrol state model (MSM) hypothesizes that this achieved through mindfulness meditation. Yet, cognitive processes underlying possible effects meditation on S-R remain unexplored. Methods We examined a brief bout focused attention (FA) using standard event file task measuring bindings. This was done in within-subject (crossover) design, where each participant (novice meditation) at two separate appointments (with without before task). Results found 15 min single FA enough restrict retrieval relevant information as indexed by decreased partial overlap costs. Conclusion These findings support MSM framework suggesting induces top-down biasing toward persistence. Importantly, however, were only evident when there prior experience with task. shows similarities pharmacological brain stimulation studies suggests modulates gain control principles processing. Moreover, restricted its duration since modulated early phases In novices, short-term are thus relatively fragile induce some finer adjustments strategy.