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Nazanin Derakshan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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training working memory to improve Attentional Control in anxiety a proof of principle study using behavioral and electrophysiological measures
Biological Psychology, 2016Co-Authors: Berna A Sari, Ernst H. W. Koster, Gilles Pourtois, Nazanin DerakshanAbstract:Trait anxiety is associated with impairments in Attentional Control and processing efficiency (see Berggren & Derakshan, 2013, for a review). Working memory training using the adaptive dual n-back task has shown to improve Attentional Control in subclinical depression with transfer effects at the behavioral and neural level on a working memory task (Owens, Koster, & Derakshan, 2013). Here, we examined the beneficial effects of working memory training on Attentional Control in pre-selected high trait anxious individuals who underwent a three week daily training intervention using the adaptive dual n-back task. Pre and post outcome measures of Attentional Control were assessed using a Flanker task that included a stress induction and an emotional a Antisaccade task (with angry and neutral faces as target). Resting state EEG (theta/beta ratio) was recorded to as a neural marker of trait Attentional Control. Our results showed that adaptive working memory training improved Attentional Control with transfer effects on the Flanker task and resting state EEG, but effects of training on the Antisaccade task were less conclusive. Finally, training related gains were associated with lower levels of trait anxiety at post (vs pre) intervention. Our results demonstrate that adaptive working memory training in anxiety can have beneficial effects on Attentional Control and cognitive performance that may protect against emotional vulnerability in individuals at risk of developing clinical anxiety.
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Attentional Control deficits in trait anxiety why you see them and why you don t
Biological Psychology, 2013Co-Authors: Nick Berggren, Nazanin DerakshanAbstract:Abstract Attentional Control Theory (ACT; Eysenck et al., 2007 , Derakshan and Eysenck, 2009 ) posits that trait anxiety interferes with the inhibition, shifting and updating processes of working memory. Consequently, high anxious individuals are predicted to perform worse on cognitively demanding tasks requiring efficient cognitive processing. Whilst a growing number of studies have provided support for this view, the possible underlying mechanisms of this deficiency are far less understood. In particular, there is conflicting neuroscientific evidence with some work showing associations between anxiety and increased neural activity over frontal areas, while others report reduced activity. We review recent evidence that has helped elucidate the cognitive hallmarks of trait anxiety, and suggest how previous discrepancies can be accommodated within ACT's prediction that reduced cognitive efficiency may be ameliorated by strategies such as compensatory effort. Finally, we discuss if ACT's distinction on efficiency and effectiveness can be applied to threat-related processing, often shown to additively override Attentional Control in anxiety.
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new perspectives in Attentional Control theory
Personality and Individual Differences, 2011Co-Authors: Michael W Eysenck, Nazanin DerakshanAbstract:There have been several theoretical attempts to explain the effects of anxiety on cognitive performance. According to Attentional Control theory, anxiety impairs the efficiency of two executive functions (the inhibition and shifting functions). Another major theoretical assumption is that anxiety impairs performance effectiveness (the quality of performance) to a lesser extent than processing efficiency (the relationship between performance effectiveness and effort or use of processing resources). However, there may be conditions (e.g., prior presentation of threat-related stimuli) in which that assumption is not applicable. The extensive recent research (including several cognitive neuroscience studies) of direct relevance to the theory is discussed, and suggestions are made for maximizing the value of future cognitive neuroscience research. Finally, Attentional Control theory is developed to explicate the relationship between anxiety and motivation. Implications for theoretical predictions and alternative theoretical accounts are discussed.
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effects of state anxiety on performance using a task switching paradigm an investigation of Attentional Control theory
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 2009Co-Authors: Nazanin Derakshan, Sinead Smyth, Michael W EysenckAbstract:Low- and high-anxious participants performed arithmetical tasks under task-switching or nontask-switching conditions. These tasks were low or high in complexity. The task on each trial was either explicitly cued or not cued. We assumed that demands on Attentional Control would be greater in the task-switching condition than in the nontask-switching condition, and would be greater with high-complexity tasks than with low-complexity ones. We also assumed that demands on Attentional Control would be greater when cues were absent rather than present. According to Attentional Control theory (Eysenck, Derakshan, Santos, & Calvo, 2007), anxiety impairs Attentional Control processes required to shift attention optimally within and between tasks. We predicted that there would be greater negative effects of high state anxiety in the task-switching condition than in the nontask-switching condition. Our theoretical predictions were supported, suggesting that state anxiety reduces Attentional Control.
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Attentional Control in dysphoria an investigation using the antisaccade task
Biological Psychology, 2009Co-Authors: Nazanin Derakshan, Maureen Salt, Ernst H. W. KosterAbstract:We examined inhibitory mechanisms in dysphoria using direct measures of Attentional Control. Dysphoric and non-dysphoric participants performed standard and delayed versions of the antisaccade and prosaccade tasks with facial expressions as stimuli. Results showed higher error rates in the standard antisaccade task than in the delayed tasks, with the dysphoric group having higher error rates in response to emotional facial expressions, in particular happy expressions. Our findings indicate impaired Attentional processing in response to emotional facial expressions, in particular happy expressions, in dysphoria. Implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying Attentional Control in dysphoria are discussed.
Melanie Noel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Attentional biases in pediatric chronic pain an eye tracking study assessing the nature of the bias and its relation to Attentional Control
Pain, 2020Co-Authors: Sabine Soltani, Tine Vervoort, Lauren C Heathcote, Keith Owen Yeates, Christopher R Sears, Dimitri M L Van Ryckeghem, Melanie NoelAbstract:Attentional biases are posited to play a key role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain in adults and youth. However, research to date has yielded mixed findings, and few studies have examined Attentional biases in pediatric samples. This study used eye-gaze tracking to examine Attentional biases to pain-related stimuli in a clinical sample of youth with chronic pain and pain-free Controls. The moderating role of Attentional Control was also examined. Youth with chronic pain (n = 102) and pain-free Controls (n = 53) viewed images of children depicting varying levels of pain expressiveness paired with neutral faces while their eye gaze was recorded. Attentional Control was assessed using both a questionnaire and a behavioural task. Both groups were more likely to first fixate on high pain faces but showed no such orienting bias for moderate or low pain faces. Youth with chronic pain fixated longer on all pain faces than neutral faces, whereas youth in the Control group exhibited a total fixation bias only for high and moderate pain faces. Attentional Control did not moderate Attentional biases between or within groups. The results lend support to theoretical models positing the presence of Attentional biases in youth with chronic pain. Further research is required to clarify the nature of Attentional biases and their relationship to clinical outcomes.
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Attentional biases in pediatric chronic pain an eye tracking study assessing the nature of the bias and its relation to Attentional Control
Pain, 2020Co-Authors: Sabine Soltani, Dimitri Van Ryckeghem, Tine Vervoort, Lauren C Heathcote, Keith Owen Yeates, Christopher R Sears, Melanie NoelAbstract:: Attentional biases are posited to play a key role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain in adults and youth. However, research to date has yielded mixed findings and few studies have examined Attentional biases in pediatric samples. The present study used eye-gaze tracking to examine Attentional biases to pain-related stimuli in a clinical sample of youth with chronic pain and pain-free Controls. The moderating role of Attentional Control was also examined. Youth with chronic pain (n = 102) and pain-free Controls (n = 53) viewed images of children depicting varying levels of pain expressiveness paired with neutral faces while their eye gaze was recorded. Attentional Control was assessed using both a questionnaire and a behavioural task. Both groups were more likely to first fixate on high pain faces but showed no such orienting bias for moderate or low pain faces. Youth with chronic pain fixated longer on all pain faces than neutral faces, whereas youth in the Control group exhibited a total fixation bias only for high and moderate pain faces. Attentional Control did not moderate Attentional biases between or within groups. The results lend support to theoretical models positing the presence of Attentional biases in youth with chronic pain. Further research is required to clarify the nature of Attentional biases and their relationship to clinical outcomes.
Michael W Eysenck - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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new perspectives in Attentional Control theory
Personality and Individual Differences, 2011Co-Authors: Michael W Eysenck, Nazanin DerakshanAbstract:There have been several theoretical attempts to explain the effects of anxiety on cognitive performance. According to Attentional Control theory, anxiety impairs the efficiency of two executive functions (the inhibition and shifting functions). Another major theoretical assumption is that anxiety impairs performance effectiveness (the quality of performance) to a lesser extent than processing efficiency (the relationship between performance effectiveness and effort or use of processing resources). However, there may be conditions (e.g., prior presentation of threat-related stimuli) in which that assumption is not applicable. The extensive recent research (including several cognitive neuroscience studies) of direct relevance to the theory is discussed, and suggestions are made for maximizing the value of future cognitive neuroscience research. Finally, Attentional Control theory is developed to explicate the relationship between anxiety and motivation. Implications for theoretical predictions and alternative theoretical accounts are discussed.
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effects of state anxiety on performance using a task switching paradigm an investigation of Attentional Control theory
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 2009Co-Authors: Nazanin Derakshan, Sinead Smyth, Michael W EysenckAbstract:Low- and high-anxious participants performed arithmetical tasks under task-switching or nontask-switching conditions. These tasks were low or high in complexity. The task on each trial was either explicitly cued or not cued. We assumed that demands on Attentional Control would be greater in the task-switching condition than in the nontask-switching condition, and would be greater with high-complexity tasks than with low-complexity ones. We also assumed that demands on Attentional Control would be greater when cues were absent rather than present. According to Attentional Control theory (Eysenck, Derakshan, Santos, & Calvo, 2007), anxiety impairs Attentional Control processes required to shift attention optimally within and between tasks. We predicted that there would be greater negative effects of high state anxiety in the task-switching condition than in the nontask-switching condition. Our theoretical predictions were supported, suggesting that state anxiety reduces Attentional Control.
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anxiety processing efficiency and cognitive performance new developments from Attentional Control theory
European Psychologist, 2009Co-Authors: Nazanin Derakshan, Michael W EysenckAbstract:There have been many attempts to account theoretically for the effects of anxiety on cognitive performance. This article focuses on two theories based on insights from cognitive psychology. The more recent is the Attentional Control theory (Eysenck, Derakshan, Santos, & Calvo, 2007), which developed from the earlier processing efficiency theory (Eysenck & Calvo, 1992). Both theories assume there is a fundamental distinction between performance effectiveness (quality of performance) and processing efficiency (the relationship between performance effectiveness and use of processing resources), and that anxiety impairs processing efficiency more than perfor- mance effectiveness. Both theories also assume that anxiety impairs the efficiency of the central executive component of the working memory system. In addition, Attentional Control theory assumes that anxiety impairs the efficiency of two types of Attentional Control: (1) negative Attentional Control (involved in inhibiting attention to task-irrelevant stimuli); and (2) positive Attentional Control (involved in flexibly switching attention between and within tasks to maximize performance). Recent (including unpublished) research relevant to theoretical predictions from Attentional Control theory is discussed. In addition, future directions for theory and research in the area of anxiety and performance are presented.
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anxiety and cognitive performance Attentional Control theory
Emotion, 2007Co-Authors: Michael W Eysenck, Nazanin Derakshan, Rita Santos, Manuel G. CalvoAbstract:Attentional Control theory is an approach to anxiety and cognition representing a major development of Eysenck and Calvo's (1992) processing efficiency theory. It is assumed that anxiety impairs efficient functioning of the goal-directed Attentional system and increases the extent to which processing is influenced by the stimulus-driven Attentional system. In addition to decreasing Attentional Control, anxiety increases attention to threat-related stimuli. Adverse effects of anxiety on processing efficiency depend on two central executive functions involving Attentional Control: inhibition and shifting. However, anxiety may not impair performance effectiveness (quality of performance) when it leads to the use of compensatory strategies (e.g., enhanced effort; increased use of processing resources). Directions for future research are discussed.
Sabine Soltani - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Attentional biases in pediatric chronic pain an eye tracking study assessing the nature of the bias and its relation to Attentional Control
Pain, 2020Co-Authors: Sabine Soltani, Tine Vervoort, Lauren C Heathcote, Keith Owen Yeates, Christopher R Sears, Dimitri M L Van Ryckeghem, Melanie NoelAbstract:Attentional biases are posited to play a key role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain in adults and youth. However, research to date has yielded mixed findings, and few studies have examined Attentional biases in pediatric samples. This study used eye-gaze tracking to examine Attentional biases to pain-related stimuli in a clinical sample of youth with chronic pain and pain-free Controls. The moderating role of Attentional Control was also examined. Youth with chronic pain (n = 102) and pain-free Controls (n = 53) viewed images of children depicting varying levels of pain expressiveness paired with neutral faces while their eye gaze was recorded. Attentional Control was assessed using both a questionnaire and a behavioural task. Both groups were more likely to first fixate on high pain faces but showed no such orienting bias for moderate or low pain faces. Youth with chronic pain fixated longer on all pain faces than neutral faces, whereas youth in the Control group exhibited a total fixation bias only for high and moderate pain faces. Attentional Control did not moderate Attentional biases between or within groups. The results lend support to theoretical models positing the presence of Attentional biases in youth with chronic pain. Further research is required to clarify the nature of Attentional biases and their relationship to clinical outcomes.
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Attentional biases in pediatric chronic pain an eye tracking study assessing the nature of the bias and its relation to Attentional Control
Pain, 2020Co-Authors: Sabine Soltani, Dimitri Van Ryckeghem, Tine Vervoort, Lauren C Heathcote, Keith Owen Yeates, Christopher R Sears, Melanie NoelAbstract:: Attentional biases are posited to play a key role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain in adults and youth. However, research to date has yielded mixed findings and few studies have examined Attentional biases in pediatric samples. The present study used eye-gaze tracking to examine Attentional biases to pain-related stimuli in a clinical sample of youth with chronic pain and pain-free Controls. The moderating role of Attentional Control was also examined. Youth with chronic pain (n = 102) and pain-free Controls (n = 53) viewed images of children depicting varying levels of pain expressiveness paired with neutral faces while their eye gaze was recorded. Attentional Control was assessed using both a questionnaire and a behavioural task. Both groups were more likely to first fixate on high pain faces but showed no such orienting bias for moderate or low pain faces. Youth with chronic pain fixated longer on all pain faces than neutral faces, whereas youth in the Control group exhibited a total fixation bias only for high and moderate pain faces. Attentional Control did not moderate Attentional biases between or within groups. The results lend support to theoretical models positing the presence of Attentional biases in youth with chronic pain. Further research is required to clarify the nature of Attentional biases and their relationship to clinical outcomes.
Peter Malinowski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Neural mechanisms of Attentional Control in mindfulness meditation
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2013Co-Authors: Peter MalinowskiAbstract:The scientific interest in meditation and mindfulness practice has recently seen an unprecedented surge. After an initial phase of presenting beneficial effects of mindfulness practice in various domains, research is now seeking to unravel the underlying psychological and neurophysiological mechanisms. Advances in understanding these processes are required for improving and fine-tuning mindfulness-based interventions that target specific conditions such as eating disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. This review presents a theoretical framework that emphasizes the central role of Attentional Control mechanisms in the development of mindfulness skills. It discusses the phenomenological level of experience during meditation, the different Attentional functions that are involved, and relates these to the brain networks that subserve these functions. On the basis of currently available empirical evidence specific processes as to how attention exerts its positive influence are considered and it is concluded that meditation practice appears to positively impact Attentional functions by improving resource allocation processes. As a result, Attentional resources are allocated more fully during early processing phases which subsequently enhance further processing. Neural changes resulting from a pure form of mindfulness practice that is central to most mindfulness programs are considered from the perspective that they constitute a useful reference point for future research. Furthermore, possible interrelations between the improvement of Attentional Control and emotion regulation skills are discussed.
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regular brief mindfulness meditation practice improves electrophysiological markers of Attentional Control
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2012Co-Authors: Adam W Moore, Thomas Gruber, Jennifer Derose, Peter MalinowskiAbstract:Mindfulness based meditation practices involve various Attentional skills, including the ability to sustain and focus ones attention. During a simple mindful breathing practice, sustained attention is required to maintain focus on the breath while cognitive Control is required to detect mind wandering. We thus hypothesized that regular, brief mindfulness training would result in improvements in the self regulation of attention and foster changes in neuronal activity related to Attentional Control. A longitudinal randomized Control group EEG study was conducted. At baseline (T1), 40 meditation naive participants were randomized into a wait list group and a meditation group, who received three hours mindfulness meditation training. 28 participants remained in the final analysis. At T1, after 8 weeks (T2) and after 16 weeks (T3), all participants performed a computerized Stroop task (a measure of Attentional Control) while the 64-channel EEG was recorded. Between T1 and T3 the meditators were requested to meditate daily for ten minutes. Event-related potential (ERP) analysis highlighted two between group effects that developed over the course of the 16-week mindfulness training. An early effect at left and right posterior sites 160 – 240 ms post stimulus indicated that meditation practice improved the focusing of Attentional resources. A second effect at central posterior sites 310 – 380 ms post stimulus reflects that meditation practice reduced the recruitment of resources during object recognition processes, especially for incongruent stimuli. Scalp topographies and source analyses (VARETA) indicate relevant changes in neural sources, pertaining to left medial and lateral occipitotemporal areas for the early effect and right lateral occipitotemporal and inferior temporal areas for the later effect. The results suggest that mindfulness meditation may alter the efficiency of allocating cognitive resources, leading to improved self regulation of attention.
