Meditation and Cognitive Enhancement: A Machine Learning Based Classification Using EEG
IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics October 9, 2022 Swati Singh, Vinay Gupta, Tharun Kumar Reddy et al.
After two weeks of regular mantra meditation practice, novice meditators' brain activity becomes more distinguishable from their baseline state, as shown by machine learning classification of EEG features. The study of 20 participants (10 experienced, 10 novice) found that classification accuracy between baseline and meditative EEG increased significantly for novices over the practice period, indicating enhanced meditation experience. Even this short practice improved cognitive abilities in novices, measured through the Brain-Based Intelligence Test (BBIT) and reflected in their EEG correlates. The analysis examined EEG band powers and connectivity features to evaluate meditation effects.