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Valentina Nicolardi

6 papers in the library · 74 citations · publishing 2020-2026

Papers

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Differential Effects of Meditation States on Neural Pain Processing in Novice and Long-Term Meditators

Mindfulness April 1, 2026 Vasil Kolev, Peter Malinowski, Antonino Raffone et al.

Abstract Objectives The main objective of the present study was to explore the effects of different types of meditation on the neurophysiologic mechanisms of pain processing. Method EEG responses to electric median nerve stimulation were recorded in short-term and long-term meditators (STM, LTM) during rest and three forms of meditation engaging attentional and affective regulation in different...

EEG oscillations reveal neuroplastic changes in pain processing associated with long-term meditation.

Scientific Reports March 27, 2025 Juliana Yordanova, Valentina Nicolardi, Peter Malinowski et al. 4 citations

The experience of pain is a combined product of bottom-up and top-down influences mediated by attentional and emotional factors. Meditation states and traits are characterized by enhanced attention/emotion regulation and expanded self-awareness that can be expected to modify pain processing. The main objective of the present study was to explore the effects of long-term meditation on neural...

The Two Arrows of Pain: Mechanisms of Pain Related to Meditation and Mental States of Aversion and Identification

Mindfulness January 28, 2022 Valentina Nicolardi, Luca Simione, Domenico Scaringi et al. 28 citations

Abstract Objectives According to the core Buddhist psychology models of the “two arrows of pain” and “co-dependent origination,” pain is the resultant of bodily and mental factors, which can be regulated by meditation states and traits. Here we investigated how pain and the related aversion and identification (self-involvement) experiences are modulated by focused attention meditation (FAM),...

Attentional and cognitive monitoring brain networks in long-term meditators depend on meditation states and expertise.

Scientific Reports March 1, 2021 Juliana Yordanova, Vasil Kolev, Valentina Nicolardi et al.

Meditation practice is suggested to engage training of cognitive control systems in the brain. To evaluate the functional involvement of attentional and cognitive monitoring processes during meditation, the present study analysed the electroencephalographic synchronization of fronto-parietal (FP) and medial-frontal (MF) brain networks in highly experienced meditators during different meditation...

Common and distinct lateralised patterns of neural coupling during focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation

Scientific Reports 2020 Juliana Yordanova, Vasil Kolev, Federica Mauro et al. 42 citations

Meditation has been integrated into different therapeutic interventions. To inform the evidence-based selection of specific meditation types it is crucial to understand the neural processes associated with different meditation practices. Here we explore commonalities and differences in electroencephalographic oscillatory spatial synchronisation patterns across three important meditation types....