aandachtstraining

Aandachtstraining, literally attention training in Dutch, denotes a set of structured exercises aimed at improving voluntary control over attention. It is used in clinical, educational, and performance settings to reduce distractibility, enhance concentration, and improve executive functioning. The term can refer to general attention training as well as specific programs that combine elements of mindfulness, cognitive strategies, and neuropsychological training.

Practice usually comprises repeated, guided tasks designed to strengthen sustained attention, selective attention, and attentional shifting. Common components include focused-attention exercises (for example, sustaining focus on a single stimulus and returning attention when it wanders), open-monitoring or awareness training (observing thoughts and sensations non-judgmentally), and metacognitive strategies to recognize lapses and reorient attention. Some programs incorporate breathing or relaxation techniques to support regulation.

Applications include support for children and adults with ADHD, anxiety disorders, and learning difficulties, as well as for peak performance in sports, music, or academics. In education, it is used to improve classroom attention and on-task behavior. In clinical settings, it may be integrated into cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based interventions as a component to enhance attentional control.

Evidence is mixed but shows potential small-to-moderate improvements in attention and executive function, particularly when training is structured, of sufficient duration, and tailored to the population. Critics note that outcomes depend on program quality, measurement methods, and the presence of concomitant therapies; more rigorous randomized trials are needed to establish long-term efficacy and generalizability.

See also: mindfulness, executive function, ADHD interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy.