title: Working memory training improves emotion regulation ability: Evidence from HRV.
abstract: Emotion regulation during social situations plays a pivotal role in health and interpersonal functioning. In this study, we propose a working memory training approach to improve emotion regulation ability. This training promotes an updating function that is a crucial modulated process for emotion regulation. In the present study, the participants in the training group completed a running memory task over 20 days of training. Their working memory capability and high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) data on pretest and posttest were assessed and analyzed. Compared with the control group, the training group's reaction time in the 2-back working memory task was reduced significantly. In addition, the HF-HRV in the emotion regulation condition was increased after the 20-day training, which indicates that the working memory training effect could transfer to emotion regulation. In other words, working memory training improved emotion regulation ability.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Lab of Applied Experimental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
authors.forename: Lichao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiu
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Lab of Applied Experimental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Department of Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing 100875, China; Research Center of Emotion Regulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China. Electronic address: rlzhou@nju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Renlai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Lab of Applied Experimental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
authors.forename: Yihan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D056348:Emotional Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011897:Random Allocation; D011930:Reaction Time; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attention control; Emotion regulation; High-frequency HRV; Working memory training