Assisting focused attention meditation through EEG-based alpha-theta cross-frequency neurofeedback
medRxiv September 6, 2024 Hendrik-Jan De Vuyst, Angeliki-Ιlektra Karaiskou, Javier R. Soriano et al. preprint
A single session of EEG-neurofeedback training can increase the occurrence of non-harmonic alpha-theta brainwave patterns during focused attention meditation, an effect that persists after training ends. Thirty participants received 25 minutes each of experimental training (auditory feedback when non-harmonic alpha-theta patterns were detected) and sham training (unrelated feedback). The increase in these brainwave patterns occurred across the whole scalp, not just at the training site, and was linked to improvements in depressive mood. People with higher depressive mood at the start showed stronger training effects. The findings suggest neurofeedback could help train brainwave patterns relevant to meditation, especially for those with depressive symptoms.