A quasi-experimental trial of an intervention study to improve attention and reduce boredom

Abstract

Objectives: Growing number of studies suggested the association between state boredom experiences and attention failures. Attention training has been suggested as a possible intervention to improve one’s coping with state boredom experiences. To date, interventions that reduces state boredom through improving attention is lacking. The current paper is a 4-week intervention study that aimed to improve people’s level of attention in everyday life activities and reduce boredom experiences. Hypotheses: The study hypothesized that 1) the attention level in participants from the experimental group shall increase throughout the 4-week attention training comparing to those who did not receive training. 2) There should be a decline in the level of state boredom followed by improved attention in everyday life situations. Method: This was a two-arm between-subject intervention study. Data was collected from a 4-week experience sampling through a smartphone app and questionnaire at baseline and post-study. Participants were 73 healthy adults. 32 participants were assigned to the experimental group and underwent 4 sessions of attention training. 41 participants were assigned to a control group. Results: Participants who received 4 weeks of attention training had a significant increase in the level of attention and a significant decrease in the level of state boredom over the four weeks of training, comparing to the participants from the control group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the attention training from the current study is effective in improving healthy adult’s attention level, followed by a reduction in state boredom experience. Implication: Improving the level of attention does not only improve performance in life situations but also improves the ability to overcome state boredom experience, which seems to be an essential process that facilitates the pursuit of life meaning and emotional well-being.