How Does Meditation Affect the Default Mode Network: A Systematic Review.
Dimitrios Zagkas, Flora Bacopoulou, Dimitrios Vlachakis, George P Chrousos, Christina Darviri
Advances in experimental medicine and biology 2023 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_22 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 853 |
| Population | Experienced and non-experienced meditators |
| Topics | Default mode network Meditation |
| Keywords | Functional connectivity |
| Key findings | Meditative interventions affect the operation of the Default Mode Network and produce differences in functional connectivity between networks. |
Abstract
This article provides a systematic review of studies evaluating the effect of meditation on the Default Mode Network (DMN). The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was conducted up to June 2020. Search terms included default mode network or DMN and meditation.A total of 306 articles were identified, of which 16 controlled trials with a total of 853 experienced (in Mindfulness, Samatha, Raja Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Vipassana, Insight meditation Theravada tradition) and non-experienced mediators were finally included in this systematic review. The results showed that meditative interventions affect the operation of DMN and there are differences in functional connectivity between networks. Further research should be undertaken to establish meditation as an effective intervention strategy for well-being.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The wandering brain: Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies of mind-wandering and related spontaneous thought processes | 2015 | Meta-analysis | |
| Investigating the Functional Heterogeneity of the Default Mode Network Using Coordinate-Based Meta-Analytic Modeling | 2009 | Meta-analysis | |
| The Default Mode Network in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy individuals | 2016 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| Dreaming as mind wandering: evidence from functional neuroimaging and first-person content reports. | 2013 | Systematic review with meta-analytic comparison | |
| Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review Participants from included studies | 2022 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Know thyself (Jnana Yoga): Psychotherapeutic insights from the east. Asian Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 2024
- Perspectives on Meditation-based Preparation for Psychedelic Experiences: Insights from Practitioners with Combined Meditation and Psychedelic Experience Mindfulness August 15, 2026
- Mindfulness Components and Their Clinical Efficacy: A Critical Review of an Ongoing Debate. Healthcare January 13, 2026
- Know Your Nose: A Narrative Review of the Developmental and Functional Impact and Importance of the Nose, Nasal Breathing and Techniques on Health and Emotional Wellbeing. Behavioral Sciences March 21, 2026
- Case Report: Case report : Mindfulness training led to catharsis and mindfulness-to-meaning in a patient with social anxiety disorder comorbid with persistent depressive disorder (Dysthymia) F1000Research December 6, 2024
Cites 31
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. American Psychologist 2006
- Mindfulness‐based approaches: are they all the same? Journal of Clinical Psychology January 19, 2011
and 26 more in the library