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The influence of focused-attention meditation states on the cognitive control of sequence learning
Cognitive control processes influence how motor sequence information is utilised and represented.
Since cognitive control processes are shared amongst goal-oriented tasks, motor sequence
learning and performance might be influenced by preceding cognitive tasks such as focused-
attention meditation (FAM). Prior to a serial reaction time task (SRTT), participants
completed either a single-session of FAM, a single-session of FAM followed by delay (FAM+) or
no meditation (CONTROL). Relative to CONTROL, FAM benefitted performance in early,
random-ordered blocks. However, across subsequent sequence learning blocks, FAM+ supported
the highest levels of performance improvement resulting in superior performance at the end of
the SRTT. Performance following FAM+ demonstrated greater reliance on embedded sequence
structures than FAM. These findings illustrate that increased top-down control immediately after
FAM biases the implementation of stimulus-based planning. Introduction of a delay following
FAM relaxes top-down control allowing for implementation of response-based planning resulting
in sequence learning benefits.