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Improving Executive Function and Its Neurobiological Mechanisms Through a Mindfulness‐Based Intervention: Advances Within the Field of Developmental Neuroscience
Author(s) -
Tang YiYuan,
Yang Lizhu,
Leve Leslie D.,
Harold Gordon T.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
child development perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1750-8606
pISSN - 1750-8592
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2012.00250.x
Subject(s) - mindfulness , psychology , neuroscience , developmental cognitive neuroscience , intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , executive functions , anterior cingulate cortex , perspective (graphical) , cognition , attentional control , cognitive psychology , cognitive neuroscience , psychotherapist , psychiatry , artificial intelligence , computer science
Poor executive function ( EF ) has been associated with a host of short‐ and long‐term problems across the lifespan, including elevated rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, drug abuse, and antisocial behavior. Mindfulness‐based interventions that focus on increasing awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, and actions have been shown to improve specific aspects of EF , including attention, cognitive control, and emotion regulation. Reflecting a developmental neuroscience perspective, this article reviews research relevant to one specific mindfulness‐based intervention, integrative body‐mind training ( IBMT ). Randomized controlled trials of IBMT indicate improvements in specific EF components, and uniquely highlight the role of neural circuitry specific to the anterior cingulate cortex and the autonomic nervous system as two brain‐based mechanisms that underlie IBMT ‐related improvements. The relevance of improving specific dimensions of EF through short‐term IBMT to prevent a cascade of risk behaviors for children and adolescents is described and future research directions are proposed.