Mind-Wandering and Attentional Control as Behavioural Markers of Fronto-Parietal Network Inefficiency: A Questionnaire Based Study Among Medical Trainees

Authors

Keywords:

Mind-Wandering, Attention control, Cognitive failures, Medical trainees

Abstract

Background
Efficient cognitive performance requires dynamic regulation between the default mode network and the fronto-parietal attentional control network. Mind-wandering reflects internally directed cognition, while attentional control represents top-down regulatory capacity. Although these processes are central to cognitive neuroscience, their interaction in medical trainees, a population exposed to immense cognitive load and multitasking, remains poorly explored.

Methods
A Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among medical trainees, where they completed the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ), Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, mediation, and moderation analyses were performed.

Results
A sample of 200 students was analysed. Mean scores of MWQ 18.3 ± 4.36, ACS 50.26 ± 4.11, and CFQ 34.68 ± 7.34 were observed. Mind-wandering demonstrated a significant positive association with cognitive failures and independently predicted CFQ scores on regression analysis (p < 0.001). Mediation analysis further confirmed that attentional control significantly mediated the association between mind-wandering and cognitive failure, with evidence of partial mediation. Although attentional control accounted for a substantial portion of this relationship, the direct effect of mind-wandering on cognitive failure remained more significant. Female trainees reported higher mind-wandering scores, whereas males demonstrated higher cognitive failure scores.

Conclusion
Mind-wandering increased significantly across the years of study and was higher in females, while attentional control showed a declining trend, and cognitive failure increased with academic progression. Furthermore, attentional control partially mediated the relationship between mind-wandering and cognitive failure, indicating that reduced attentional control may be a key mechanism through which mind-wandering contributes to cognitive failures.

References

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Published

2026-08-18

How to Cite

Verma, K., Madhusudhan, J., Nevil, S., Charles, S. A., Purohit, Y., & C.S, D. C. (2026). Mind-Wandering and Attentional Control as Behavioural Markers of Fronto-Parietal Network Inefficiency: A Questionnaire Based Study Among Medical Trainees. International Journal of Medical Students. Retrieved from https://ijms.pitt.edu/IJMS/article/view/4792

Issue

Forthcoming

Section

Abstracts of the WCMSR

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2026 Kanishka Verma, Jaladhi Madhusudhan, Shaun Nevil, S Anton Charles, Yukta Purohit, Dr. Chaitra C.S

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