Mindfulness and music interventions in the workplace: assessment of sustained attention and working memory using a crowdsourcing approach.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effect of a 30-day mindfulness intervention on stress and cognitive performance in Danish employees using a crowdsourcing approach.
Results Summary
The mindfulness group showed significant improvements in sustained attention, working memory capacity, and perceived stress (p < .001). There was also a significant correlation between app usage and improved cognitive and stress scores.
Population
623 healthy volunteers from Danish companies.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (30-day intervention).
Duration
30 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30-day mindfulness intervention | increase | coefficient of sustained attention | healthy volunteers from Danish companies | - | showed a significant improvement | #1 |
30-day mindfulness intervention | increase | working memory capacity | healthy volunteers from Danish companies | - | showed a significant improvement | #2 |
30-day mindfulness intervention | decrease | perceived stress | healthy volunteers from Danish companies | - | showed a significant improvement | #3 |
30-day music intervention | decrease | self-perceived stress | healthy volunteers from Danish companies | 38% | showed a 38% decrease | #4 |
non-intervention control group | no change | survey or cognitive outcome measures | healthy volunteers from Danish companies | - | showed no difference | #5 |
usage of the mindfulness and music app | increase | elevated score on both the cognitive games and the perceived stress scale | healthy volunteers from Danish companies | - | significant correlation | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Occupational stress has huge financial as well as human costs. Application of crowdsourcing might be a way to strengthen the investigation of occupational mental health. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess Danish employees' stress and cognition by relying on a crowdsourcing approach, as well as investigating the effect of a 30-day mindfulness and music intervention. METHODS: We translated well-validated neuropsychological laboratory- and task-based paradigms into an app-based platform using cognitive games measuring sustained attention and working memory and measuring stress via. Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. A total of 623 healthy volunteers from Danish companies participated in the study and were randomized into three groups, which consisted of a 30-day intervention of either mindfulness or music, or a non-intervention control group. RESULTS: Participants in the mindfulness group showed a significant improvement in the coefficient of sustained attention, working memory capacity and perceived stress (p < .001). The music group showed a 38% decrease of self-perceived stress. The control group showed no difference from pre to post in the survey or cognitive outcome measures. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between usage of the mindfulness and music app and elevated score on both the cognitive games and the perceived stress scale. CONCLUSION: The study supports the nascent field of crowdsourcing by being able to replicate data collected in previous well-controlled laboratory studies from a range of experimental cognitive tasks, making it an effective alternative. It also supports mindfulness as an effective intervention in improving mental health in the workplace.