Augmenting mindfulness training through neurofeedback: a pilot study of the pre-post changes on resting-state functional connectivity in typically developing adolescents.
Kelly T. Cosgrove, Aki Tsuchiyagaito, Zsofia P Cohen, Gabe Cochran, Xiaoqian Yu, Masaya Misaki, Robin L Aupperle, Manpreet K. Singh, Martin P. Paulus, Namik Kirlic
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1397234 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | Typically developing adolescents |
| Intervention | neurofeedback augmented mindfulness training (NAMT) task |
| Duration | Single session |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescence FMRI Neurofeedback Functional connectivity Resting-State FMRI |
| Citations | 3 |
| Registration | NCT04053582 |
| Key points | Functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and a cluster encompassing the left hippocampus and amygdala increased significantly following the neurofeedback-augmented mindfulness training task. |
Abstract
Mindfulness training has been shown to promote positive mental health outcomes and related changes in neural networks such as the default mode network, which has a central node in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Previous work from our group reported on the impact of a novel, neurofeedback augmented mindfulness training (NAMT) task on regulation of PCC hemodynamic activity in typically developing adolescents. The present pilot study aimed to expand on this finding by examining the pre-post changes of the NAMT task on resting-state functional connectivity of the PCC. Thirty-one typically developing adolescents (14.77 ± 1.23 years; 45% female) underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan both before and after completing the NAMT task. A linear mixed effects model was used to assess for changes in functional connectivity of the PCC across the two resting-state runs. Data did not support the hypothesized decrease in connectivity between the PCC seed and other DMN regions from pre- to post-NAMT task. However, we observed a significant increase in functional connectivity between the PCC and a cluster encompassing the left hippocampus and amygdala following completion of the NAMT task (run 1 Fisher's Z = 0.16; run 2 Fisher's Z = 0.26). Although preliminary, this finding suggests NAMT has the potential to strengthen connectivity between default mode and salience regions. We speculate that such changed connectivity may facilitate enhanced self-referential and emotional processing in adolescents. https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT04053582.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Posterior cingulate cortex downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in adolescents with early life adversity exposure: a randomized, single-blind trial. Translational Psychiatry July 13, 2025
- INFORMATION-COHERENCE MODEL (ICM): Phenomenological Description of Consciousness as an Order Parameter Managing Biosystem Entropy through Attention Coherence, with Experimental Verification of Biobehavioral Synchronism September 28, 2026
- Meditation and neurofeedback: A systematic scoping review, synthesis, and future directions Imaging Neuroscience 2026
Cites 20
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience August 13, 2007
- Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience April 22, 2015
- Mindfulness meditation training alters stress-related amygdala resting state functional connectivity: a randomized controlled trial Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience June 5, 2015
- Resting-state fMRI functional connectivity and mindfulness in clinical and non-clinical contexts: A review and synthesis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews February 22, 2022
and 15 more in the library