Comparative efficacy of neurofeedback and traditional mindfulness meditation on undergraduates' stress and mindfulness: A randomized controlled trial.
Shiva Jahani, Steve Haberlin, William Carter, Terrie Bradshaw
Journal of American College Health May 7, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2026.2667451 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 137 |
| Population | Undergraduates |
| Interventions | Neurofeedback-assisted meditation Traditional guided meditation |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, single post-intervention assessment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Digital mindfulness Neurofeedback Stress undergraduates |
| Key findings | No statistically significant differences were found between neurofeedback-assisted meditation, traditional guided meditation, and a passive control group on post-intervention mindfulness or perceived stress scores. |
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the comparative efficacy of two active mindfulness interventions, neurofeedback-assisted meditation and traditional guided meditation. A total of 137 undergraduates were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three, 8-week conditions: neurofeedback meditation (n = 51), traditional meditation (n = 46), or a passive control group (n = 40). Participants completed a single post-intervention assessment to measure mindfulness (MAAS) and perceived stress (PSS-10). Qualitative data (n = 21) were also collected from the neurofeedback group to determine acceptability. One-Way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences between the three groups on post-intervention mindfulness scores, F(2, 134) = 0.423, p = 0.656 or for perceived stress scores F(2, 134) = 0.269, p = 0.765. These findings suggest that the 8-week intervention, regardless of the method, was ineffective in producing statistically meaningful group differences. While acceptability was high, the inclusion of consumer-grade neurofeedback provided no measurable advantage over traditional guided meditation.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mental and Physical Health Impacts of Mindfulness Training for College Undergraduates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Mindfulness September 1, 2023
- Measuring the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Program to Manage Academic Stress through a Resilience to Stress Index Sensors February 28, 2023
- Consumer-Grade Neurofeedback With Mindfulness Meditation: Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research April 17, 2025
- Effects of Mobile Mindfulness Meditation on the Mental Health of University Students: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research April 29, 2022
and 2 more in the library