Oscillating Mindfully: Using Machine Learning to Characterize Systems-Level Electrophysiological Activity During Focused Attention Meditation.
Noga Aviad, Oz Moskovich, Ophir Orenstein, Etam Benger, Arnaud Delorme, Amit Bernstein
Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100423 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Experienced meditators |
| Intervention | focused attention meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Complex systems EEG Machine learning |
| Key findings | A machine learning algorithm classified meditation versus mind-wandering states with 83% accuracy, identifying 10 EEG features associated with increased high-frequency oscillation power and coherence during focused attention meditation. |
Abstract
There has been rapid growth of neuroelectrophysiological studies that aspire to uncover the "black box" of mindfulness and meditation. Reliance on traditional data analysis methods hinders understanding of the complex, nonlinear, multidimensional, and systemic nature of the functional neuroelectrophysiology of meditation states. Thus, to reveal the complex systemic neuroelectrophysiology of meditation, we applied a machine learning extreme gradient boosting classification algorithm and 4 complementary feature importance methods to extract systemic electroencephalography features characterizing mindful states from electroencephalography recorded during a focused attention meditation and a control mind-wandering state among 26 experienced meditators. The algorithm classified meditation versus mind-wandering states with 83% accuracy, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 79% and F1 score of 74%. Feature importance techniques identified 10 electroencephalography features associated with increased power and coherence of high-frequency oscillations during focused attention meditation relative to an instructed mind-wandering state. The findings help delineate the complex systemic oscillatory activity that characterizes meditation.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Decoding Mindfulness With Multivariate Predictive Models. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging April 1, 2025
- Similar States, Different Paths: Neurodynamics of diverse meditation techniques bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) June 26, 2025
- The Mindfulness Internal Attention (MIA) Framework: Uncovering the Attentional Mechanisms of Mindfulness Training. Annual Review of Psychology 2026
- Neurophysiological and autonomic patterns associated with heartfulness and bell meditation: a three-arm exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology 2026
- Introduction to the Special Issue on Mindfulness: Measurement, Methods, Mechanisms, & Mental Health. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science May 15, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 28
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- On some definitions of mindfulness Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: effects on attention, conflict monitoring, and creativity – A review Frontiers in Psychology September 23, 2014
and 23 more in the library