Large effects of brief meditation intervention on EEG spectra in meditation novices
Peta Stapleton, Joe Dispenza, Stuart M. McGill, Debbie Sabot, M. Peach, Danielle Raynor
IBRO Reports October 27, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2020.10.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 223 |
| Population | Novice meditators |
| Duration | Three-day workshop |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Consciousness Intervention counseling Audiology Clinical psychology Developmental psychology Theology |
| Citations | 51 |
| Key findings | A brief three-day meditation workshop produced significant changes in EEG power spectra, including a 5% decrease in delta power and increases of 29% in theta, 16% in alpha, 17% in beta, and 11% in gamma power from pre- to post-meditation. |
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of a brief meditation workshop on a sample of 223 novice meditators. Participants attended a three-day workshop comprising daily guided seated meditation sessions using music without vocals that focused on various emotional states and intentions (open focus). Based on the theory of integrative consciousness, it was hypothesized that altered states of consciousness would be experienced by participants during the meditation intervention as assessed using electroencephalogram (EEG). Brainwave power bands patterns were measured throughout the meditation training workshop, producing a total of 5616 EEG scans. Changes in conscious states were analysed using pre-meditation and post-meditation session measures of delta through to gamma oscillations. Results suggested the meditation intervention had large varying effects on EEG spectra (up to 50 % increase and 24 % decrease), and the speed of change from pre-meditation to post-meditation state of the EEG co-spectra was significant (with 0.76 probability of entering end-meditation state within the first minute). There was a main 5 % decrease in delta power (95 % HDI = [-0.07, -0.03]); a global increase in theta power of 29 % (95 % HDI = [0.27, 0.33]); a global increase of 16 % (95 % HDI = [0.13, 0.19]) in alpha power; a main effect of condition, with global beta power increasing by 17 % (95 % HDI = [0.15, 0.19]); and an 11 % increase (95 % HDI = [0.08, 0.14]) in gamma power from pre-meditation to end-meditation. Findings provided preliminary support for brief meditation in altering states of consciousness in novice meditators. Future clinical examination of meditation was recommended as an intervention for mental health conditions particularly associated with hippocampal impairments.
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 19
- Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Frontiers in Psychology March 4, 2022
- Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback: A Systematic Review of EEG and fMRI studies. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology September 15, 2024
- Mind and body connection in expert meditators: a computational study based on central and peripheral nervous system BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies March 7, 2024
- Beyond fight or flight: The protective role of pre-pandemic meditation practice against anxiety and perceived stress. Stress and Health October 1, 2024
- Effectiveness of meditation in the management of epilepsy: An updated mini systematic review of recent findings. Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 1, 2026
and 14 more in the library
Cites 21
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- An information integration theory of consciousness BMC Neuroscience November 2, 2004
- Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology June 1, 2011
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing relapse in recurrent depression: A randomized dismantling trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 3, 2013
- Mindfulness‐based stress reduction and attentional control Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy November 1, 2007
and 16 more in the library