Enhanced interoceptive attention mediates the relationship between mindfulness training and the reduction of negative mood. (21st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Qiong; Mao, Xinrui; Luo, Wei; Fan, Jin; Liu, Xinghua; Wu, Yanhong
• Is Part Of: Psychophysiology. Volume 59:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-21
• Subjects: interoception -- mediation -- mindfulness training -- negative mood -- respiration; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-5772

Abstract

Abstract: Although accumulating evidence has revealed the effect of mindfulness training on the reduction of general stress and the improvement of mental well‐being, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether interoceptive attention to respiratory signals plays a role. Healthy adults were randomly assigned to either receive an 8‐week mindfulness training ( n = 29) or inactive control ( n = 28). The pre‐ and post‐training self‐reported states of negative mood were assessed together with an objective measure of interoceptive attention to respiration. Compared to the control group, mindfulness training led to a decrease in the level of negative mood and an increase in interoceptive sensitivity. Mediation analysis further showed that the effect of mindfulness training on the reduction of negative mood was fully mediated by increased interoceptive sensitivity. These results suggest that mindfulness training effectively alleviates negative mood by enhancing interoceptive attention to respiratory signals. Abstract : Impact StatementThe contents of this page will be shown on the eTOC on the online version only. It will not be published as part of the article PDF. Our findings add a new perspective that enhancement in objective interoceptive attention underlies the relationship between mindfulness training and the alleviation of negative mood. We provide strong evidence that individuals who receive mindfulness training become better at tracking respiratory signals which, in turn, help relieve the negative aspect of their mood state.