Maik Mylius

2 papers in the library · 4 citations · publishing 2025

Papers

Meditation expertise influences response bias and prestimulus alpha activity in the somatosensory signal detection task.

Psychophysiology February 1, 2025 Maik Mylius, Simon Guendelman, Fivos Iliopoulos et al. 4 citations

Expert meditators show a lower decision threshold rather than higher accuracy in detecting near-threshold tactile stimuli, compared to non-meditators who read regularly. Electroencephalography revealed reduced prestimulus alpha power in meditators, suggesting enhanced alpha modulation. A trial-by-trial analysis found a negative correlation between prestimulus alpha activity and tactile perception. Meditators also reported greater interoceptive sensibility, less emotional suppression, and fewer difficulties describing feelings. These findings suggest that enhanced tactile perception in meditators may stem from reduced sensory filtering in the somatosensory cortex, increasing response rates without improving accuracy.

DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14712 Full text Vipassana Meditation Mindfulness Alpha modulation +4

The Impact of Meditation on Body Awareness: Prestimulus Alpha Activity Modulates Response Bias in a Somatosensory Signal Detection Task

Maik Mylius, Simon Guendelman, Fivos Iliopoulos et al.

Meditators show altered body awareness, but not through improved accuracy. Expert meditators (31) and matched controls (33) performed a somatosensory signal detection task. Meditators had a lower decision threshold for reporting touch, not higher accuracy. Prestimulus alpha power over the somatosensory cortex was lower in meditators, and lower alpha activity was linked to a greater likelihood of reporting touch. Meditators also self-reported higher interoceptive abilities. The findings suggest meditation may reduce sensory filtering, increasing response rate rather than perceptual accuracy.

DOI: 10.22541/au.169445202.28516536/v2