The Benefit of Mental Skills Training on Performance and Stress Response in Military Personnel
Abstract
We recruited 203 active duty military personnel completing the Basic Reconnaissance Course, a 12-week, highly stressful training cycle, and assigned units to a Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT) condition, a General Mental Skills Training (GMST) condition, or a Training-as-Usual (TAU) baseline condition. MST occurred during weeks 3-10 and periodic performance, cognitive, and physiological testing occurred throughout. Effect size statistics (Hedges g) comparing each MST group to TAU suggest an association between MST and improved performance and cognitive function during times of increased stress. Following statistical analysis, significant group x time interactions were found for: Sustained Attention and Response Task variables (errors of commission, total errors, and SD reaction time) as well as blood markers cortisol and IGF. Statistical group differences were found when comparing various performance variables including phase 1 hike, phase 1 test, final average, phase 3 hike, and communication test. Likewise, cognitive performance variables including coordinates recall, plot time, and plot accuracy showed significant improvements for MST conditions when compared to TAU throughout the most stressful portion of training. This study suggests an association between additional MST in conjunction with the current training structure to yield improvements in performance and cognitive function during a highly dynamic real-world setting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1115180
Entities
People
- Andrew E. Jensen
- Douglas C. Johnson
- Jake R. Bernards
- Jason T. Jameson
- Karen R. Kelly
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center