EEG changes induced by meditative practices: State and trait effects in healthy subjects and in patients with epilepsy.
I Merlet, M Guillery, L Weyl, M Hammal, M Maliia, S Maliia, A Biraben, C Ricordeau, D Drapier, A Nica
Revue Neurologique April 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.02.387 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Mindfulness Loving-kindness Compassion Mindfulness self-compassion (MSC) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | EEG Epilepsy |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Meditation induces EEG changes in healthy subjects and shows promise as a complementary therapy for epilepsy, potentially reducing anxiety, depression, and seizure occurrence. |
Abstract
The effect of meditation on brain activity has been the topic of many studies in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from chronic diseases. These effects are either explored during meditation practice (state effects) or as a longer-term result of meditation training during the resting-state (trait). The topic of this article is to first review these findings by focusing on electroencephalography (EEG) changes in healthy subjects with or without experience in meditation. Modifications in EEG baseline rhythms, functional connectivity and advanced nonlinear parameters are discussed in regard to feasibility in clinical applications. Secondly, we provide a state-of-the-art of studies that proposed meditative practices as a complementary therapy in patients with epilepsy, in whom anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent. In these studies, the effects of standardized meditation programs including elements of traditional meditation practices such as mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion are explored both at the level of psychological functioning and on the occurrence of seizures. Lastly, preliminary results are given regarding our ongoing study, the aim of which is to quantify the effects of a mindfulness self-compassion (MSC) practice on interictal and ictal epileptic activity. Feasibility, difficulties, and prospects of this study are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review General (healthcare, schools, workplace) | 2021 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology | 2018 | Review | |
| Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies | 2020 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Effectiveness of meditation in the management of epilepsy: An updated mini systematic review of recent findings. Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 1, 2026
- Defining Bhāvanā through the PAL framework: grounded theory insights from long-term IAM®-35 practitioners Humanities and Social Sciences Communications September 25, 2025
- Neurología contemplativa Kranion December 12, 2024
- Acute response and neurophysiological mechanisms of mindfulness meditation in emotional eating. Journal of Eating Disorders March 31, 2026
- Meditation induces shifts in neural oscillations, brain complexity and critical dynamics: Novel insights from MEG bioRxiv March 19, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 64
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
and 59 more in the library