Mindfulness meditation in the Israel Defense Forces: Effect on cognition and satisfaction with life-A randomized controlled trial

IntroductionMindfulness meditation (MM) may improve information processing speed (IPS) and quality of life. During intense military training tenacious performance demands may lead to cognitive and emotional distress. We aimed to assess if MM fortifies concentration and affects satisfaction with life.MethodsSoldiers recruited during their professional training at the beginning of their compulsory military service in the Israel Defense Force. Participants (n = 150) were block randomized to either MM or to a military control group (MC).MM and MC groups were matched for age, education and gender. The MM group attended an 8-week MM course followed by additional 16 weeks of supervised practicing. The primary outcome measure was IPS evaluated by the digit-symbol-substitution-test (DSST) and the secondary measure was satisfaction with life (SWLS).ResultsAt the end of the study, data was available for analysis on 65 soldiers in the MM group 65 and 58 in the MC group. Mean baseline DSST scores were 57 ± 6 for the MM and 54.5 ± 7 for the MC group (p = 0.7). DSST scores remained stable over time in controls while significantly improving in the MM group, (delta = +15; p < 0.01).In both groups baseline SWLS scores were high and no significant changes were measured at the end of the study.ConclusionsMM practice improves IPS in motivated soldiers. No effect on satisfaction with life was observed in the present study.