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Paul B. Fitzgerald

12 papers in the library · 59 citations · publishing 2019-2026

Papers

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Neural Differences in Conflict Monitoring, Stimulus Expectancy, and Attention-Related Processes in Experienced Meditators

Mindfulness July 3, 2026 Aron T. Hill, Sung Wook Chung, Melanie Emonson et al.

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness meditation has been linked to differences in attention and executive function, which may be related to differences in neural activity patterns. To explore this, we used an electroencephalography (EEG)-based event-related potential (ERP) paradigm to examine brain responses associated with conflict monitoring and attention in experienced meditators, compared to...

Attrition Rates in Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain

The Clinical Journal of Pain July 1, 2026 Michael Yufeng Wang, M Prabhavi N Perera, Paul B. Fitzgerald et al.

Objective: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show promise in managing chronic pain but often require substantial time commitments, leading to high attrition and concerns about acceptability. This meta-analysis evaluated attrition rates in MBIs for chronic pain and examined moderators contributing to participant withdrawal. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched relevant...

Psilocybin in the real world: Regulatory, ethical, and operational challenges in Australia’s clinical landscape

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry December 17, 2025 Megan Dutton, Paul Schwenn, Jules S Mitchell et al. 1 citation

Australia’s reclassification of psilocybin as a Schedule 8 substance for treatment-resistant depression represents a significant shift in psychiatric policy. While this regulatory change positions Australia as a global leader in psychedelic medicine, its implementation has revealed substantial challenges. This article critically examines the regulatory, ethical and operational complexities...

Attrition Rates in Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain: A Meta-Analysis

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) May 30, 2025 Michael Y. Wang, M. Prabhavi N. Perera, Paul B. Fitzgerald et al. 2 citations preprint

Abstract Objective Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show promise in managing chronic pain but often require substantial time commitments, leading to high attrition rates and concerns about acceptability. This meta-analysis evaluated attrition rates in MBIs for chronic pain and explored factors contributing to participant withdrawal. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, 44 studies (45...

Understanding the Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in a Non-Clinical Population

medRxiv May 29, 2025 Paul B. Fitzgerald, Sara Webb, Nigel Christopher Denning et al. 2 citations preprint

Abstract Objective Despite many decades of experimental studies and clinical trials involving a variety of psychedelic agents, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the effects of these substances on psychological experiences. As such, we designed and conducted a study to comprehensively characterise the effects of both psilocybin and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on a range...

Influence of mindfulness training on attention processing in individuals with chronic pain

medRxiv May 29, 2025 Michael Y. Wang, Neil W. Bailey, Paul B. Fitzgerald et al. preprint

Abstract Objective The dynamic impact of chronic pain on attention can lead to impairments in overall cognitive functioning. Mindfulness is a practice often adopted for pain management that includes elements of attention training. It is thought to improve the experiential acceptance of pain, thus reducing pain-sensitivity and pain-related attentional biases. The aim of this study was to examine...

TMS-EEG Shows Mindfulness Meditation Is Associated With a Different Excitation/Inhibition Balance in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Mindfulness February 1, 2025 Gregory Humble, Harry Geddes, Oliver Baell et al. 4 citations

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness meditation is associated with functional brain changes in regions subserving higher order cognitive processes such as attention. However, no research to date has probed these areas in meditators using combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG). This study aimed to investigate whether cortical reactivity to TMS differs in a...

The safety of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy: A systematic review

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry December 13, 2024 Rosana Freitas, Efstathia Stephanie Gotsis, Alexander T. Gallo et al. 14 citations

Introduction: Psilocybin, a classical psychedelic, has been rescheduled for use in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression in Australia. While evidence for its use is promising, understanding the associated risks is crucial. Accordingly, this review aims to collate adverse event data from psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy clinical trials and evaluate its definition,...

The Mindful Brain at Rest: Neural Oscillations and Aperiodic Activity in Experienced Meditators

Mindfulness October 1, 2024 Brittany McQueen, Oscar W. Murphy, Paul B. Fitzgerald et al. 6 citations

Abstract Objectives Previous research has demonstrated that mindfulness meditation is associated with a variety of benefits, including improved mental health. Researchers have suggested these benefits may be underpinned by differences in neural oscillations. However, previous studies measuring neural oscillations have not controlled for non-oscillatory neural activity, the power spectrum of...

TMS-EEG shows mindfulness meditation is associated with an altered excitation/inhibition balance in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) November 1, 2023 Gregory Humble, Harry Geddes, Oliver Baell et al. 1 citation preprint

Abstract Objective Mindfulness meditation is associated with functional brain changes in regions subserving higher order cognitive processes such as attention. However, no research to date has causally probed these areas in meditators using combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG). This study aimed to investigate whether cortical reactivity to TMS...

Translating Psychedelic Therapies From Clinical Trials to Community Clinics: Building Bridges and Addressing Potential Challenges Ahead

Frontiers in Psychiatry November 4, 2021 M.l. Williams, Diana Korevaar, Renee Harvey et al. 23 citations

Research exploring the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat a range of mental illnesses is flourishing, after the problematic sociopolitical history of psychedelics led to the shutdown of clinical research for almost 40 years. Encouraged by positive results, clinicians and patients are now hopeful that further interruptions to research will be avoided, so that the early promise...

Experienced meditators exhibit no differences to demographically-matched controls in theta phase synchronisation, P200, or P300 during an auditory oddball task

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) April 14, 2019 J.R. Payne, Oliver Baell, Harry Geddes et al. 6 citations preprint

Abstract Objectives Long-term meditation practice affects the brain’s ability to sustain attention. However, how this occurs is not well understood. Electroencephalography (EEG) studies have found that during dichotic oddball listening tasks, experienced meditators displayed altered attention-related neural markers including theta phase synchronisation (TPS) and event-related potentials (ERP;...