Trait and state mindfulness modulate EEG microstates
medRxiv November 24, 2021 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2021.11.22.21266675 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with a matched non-meditator comparison group |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Trained meditators and matched non-meditators |
| Intervention | Non-reactive attention meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report that microstate A and C temporal parameters at rest were negatively correlated with mindfulness traits across all participants, and that after meditation meditators showed decreased frequency of microstates A and C and longer duration of microstate B. They propose these changes reflect decreased mental reactivity (A, C) and increased attention stability (B), with trait effects linked to salience network activity and state effects to cerebellar contribution. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to characterize microstate dynamics induced by non-reactive attention underlying mindfulness. Electroencephalogram signals from eighteen trained meditators and a matched non-meditators group were recorded before, during, and after a non-reactive attention meditation or during three resting periods respectively, while they were passively exposed to auditory stimulation. In a multimodal approach, microstate cluster decompositions, personality trait questionnaires, phenomenological ratings, and microstates sources localization were analyzed. Our results revealed that temporal parameters of microstates A and C at rest were negatively correlated to mindfulness traits across all participants. After meditation, the frequency of microstate A and C was decreased while microstate B was of longer duration, in meditators. Source localization analysis revealed that the non-reactive trait effect on microstate C at rest was explained by a modified activity of the salience network (identified by the anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and insula), while the non-reactive attentional state effect relied on a contribution of (anterior and posterior) cerebellum during meditation. Our results suggest that decreased microstates A and C reflect decreased mental state reactivity, while the increased microstate B relies on attention stability. These findings strongly encourage more research to assess the use of the microstate temporal parameters as a biomarker of the salience network activity, as well as objectify the brain changes induced by non-reactive attention training. HIGHLIGHT: The present study aimed to characterize microstate dynamics induced by non-reactive attention meditation, by the use of multimodal analysis including EEG microstate clusters decompositions, personality trait questionnaires, phenomenological reports, and source localization analysis. The occurrence of microstate A, recognized to be related to phonological processing and depressive disorders, was negatively correlated to mindfulness trait and was decreased after non-reactive attention meditation. The duration of microstate B, generally associated with the visual system, increases after meditation, in particular in meditators with a high non-reactivity trait. Temporal parameters of microstate C, recognized to be related to default mode, were negatively correlated to the non-reactivity trait of meditators and were decreased after non-reactive attention meditation. Source analysis revealed that these trait and state effects reflect modified activities of the salient network.
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 2
Cites 44
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
and 39 more in the library