Frontiers in Psychology
August 28, 2026
Alessio Matiz, Sara Sorella, Giuseppe Pagnoni et al.
Introduction Although meditation practice encompasses both intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions, the differential effects of individual versus group meditation settings (IS vs. GS) remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to reduce this gap by comparing the effects of a mindfulness meditation session performed in the two settings, focusing in particular on mind-wandering (MW) dynamics....
Scientific Reports
August 13, 2026
Sara Sorella, Alessio Matiz, Cristiano Crescentini
Focused meditation involves a dynamic cycle of four mental states: mind-wandering (MW), awareness of distraction (AWARE), shifting attention back (SHIFT), and sustained attentional focus (FOCUS). Meta-awareness of these processes is trained during mindfulness meditation, possibly improving mental health. This study investigated heart rate (HR) and ocular movements during breath-focused...
Current Psychology
August 1, 2026
Sara Sorella, Alessio Matiz, Luca Chittaro et al.
Abstract Mind wandering refers to spontaneous shifts of attention from ongoing tasks to unrelated thoughts. Evidence shows that such shifts are characterized by behavioral and physiological changes, such as heart rate and eye blinks. However, previous findings on cardiac changes during mind wandering are mixed, and little is known about whether mindfulness experience and acceptance-related...
Mindfulness
April 23, 2025
Alessio Matiz, Stefania Pascut, Franco Fabbro et al.
3 citations
Abstract Objectives The study aimed to investigate the pre-to-post effects of mindfulness training on school teachers’ psychological and professional well-being, as well as to explore the moderating role of temperament and character on these effects. Method An 8-week mindfulness-based intervention was delivered via internet-based group meetings to Italian teachers ( n = 139), who were assessed...
Front Hum Neurosci
January 22, 2025
Sara Sorella, Cristiano Crescentini, Alessio Matiz et al.
8 citations
Resting-state BOLD temporal variability of the default mode network predicts spontaneous mind wandering, which is negatively associated with mindfulness skills.
Frontiers in Psychology
2025
Alberto Chiesa, Cristiano Crescentini, Fabio D'Antoni et al.
5 citations
Several mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown efficacy in enhancing interoceptive awareness (IA), the ability to perceive and interpret bodily signals, leading to improved mental and physical wellbeing. However, no study has yet explored the effects of mindfulness practice on IA in individuals training to become MBI teachers. Thus, we investigated the impact of a mindfulness teacher...
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
November 18, 2024
Alessandro Lazzarelli, Francesca Scafuto, Cristiano Crescentini et al.
30 citations
It is increasingly recognized that interoceptive ability, the capacity to detect, interpret, and consciously integrate signals related to the physiological condition of the body, is central to emotion experience and regulation. Interoceptive ability can be trained and improved through mind-body interventions. This article attempts to provide an integrative review of the link between...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
November 13, 2024
Rebecca Ciacchini, Ciro Conversano, Graziella Orrù et al.
5 citations
Chronic pain (CP) affects about 30% of the global population and poses significant challenges to individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. The interactions between physiological, psychological, and social factors are crucial in the onset and development of CP conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention, examining its impact on perceived...
Psychology Research and Behavior Management
2024
Alessio Matiz, Franco Fabbro, Cristiano Crescentini
4 citations
Acceptability of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) in primary school settings seems to represent a critical factor influencing the intervention effects on children's mental health. This study aims at assessing the acceptability of an MBP delivered through the technique of storytelling, as well as identifying which participants' personality characteristics can influence it. Italian children in...
Behavioral Sciences
February 24, 2022
Susanna Feruglio, Stefania Pascut, Alessio Matiz et al.
Background: Mind-body interventions may support the development of adolescents’ self-regulation and provide a protective effect against maladaptive outcomes, e.g., internalizing and externalizing problems. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of mindfulness-oriented meditation training (MOM) and autogenic training (AT) on a group of healthy Italian adolescents’ character...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
January 20, 2022
Fabio D’Antoni, Alessio Matiz, Franco Fabbro et al.
Objectives: We explored the effects of a single 40-min session of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), and Body Scan Meditation (BSM) in the processing of distressing memories reported by a non-clinical sample of adult participants. Design: A within-subject design was used. Methods: Participants (n = 40 Psychologists/MDs) reported four distressing memories,...
Consciousness and Cognition
September 22, 2021
Alessio Matiz, Cristiano Crescentini, M. Bergamasco et al.
Mindfulness meditation usually takes place as personal, introspective activity. It is not known if this practice activates the brain differently when done alone or with someone else. Sixteen couples of expert meditators performed mindfulness-oriented meditation (MOM) and instructed mind-wandering (IMW) tasks in two conditions: once sitting in the same room (SR) and once in two different rooms...
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
September 21, 2021
Susanna Feruglio, Alessio Matiz, G. Pagnoni et al.
Through the practice of Mindfulness Meditation (MM), meditators become familiar with the observation of ongoing spontaneous thoughts, while maintaining an attitude of openness and equanimity. The aim of this systematic review is to present a synthesis of available findings of the short and long-term effects of MM on mind wandering (MW). We included studies that considered both first-person and...
Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
June 2, 2021
Fabio D’Antoni, Susanna Feruglio, Alessio Matiz et al.
ABSTRACT Dissociation is an involuntary defensive mechanism to protect oneself by avoiding unbearable internal conflicts or overwhelming emotions. Cultivating mindful awareness could allow the development of voluntary processes that can offer part of the self-protective function of dissociation while favoring internal integration processes. The aim of the present study was to explore the...
Psychology and Health
October 23, 2020
Susanna Feruglio, Alessio Matiz, Alessandro Grecucci et al.
Abstract Objective Preliminary findings suggest that different kinds of meditation could work on diverse cognitive and psychological processes. The present study aimed at disentangling the effects of three mindfulness techniques on mental rumination and subjective time perspective. Design: 75 young healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: mindful breathing, body...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
September 1, 2020
Alessio Matiz, Franco Fabbro, Andrea Paschetto et al.
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures were shown to impact negatively on people’s mental health. In particular, women were reported to be at higher risk than men of developing symptoms of stress/anxiety/depression, and resilience was considered a key factor for positive mental health outcomes. In the present study, a sample of Italian female teachers (n = 66, age: 51.5 ±...