Design of a Neurofeedback Training System for Meditation Based on EEG Technology
Andrés Eduardo Nieto-Vallejo, O. Ramírez-Pérez, Luis Eduardo Ballesteros-Arroyave, A. Aragón
2021 DOI: 10.19053/01211129.v30.n55.2021.12489 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | Meditators |
| Intervention | EEG Neurofeedback Training |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Visual feedback increased attention levels by 11.8% in 78% of participants, and sound feedback increased relaxation levels by 16% in 44.4% of participants. |
Abstract
Meditation is a form of mental training that has therapeutic potential and cognitive benefits that may enhance attention, mental well-being, and neuroplasticity. However, the learning process is not easy because meditators do not receive immediate feedback that lets them know if they are correctly doing the activity. EEG Neurofeedback training is one of the techniques to train brain self-regulation and it has the potential to increase the effectiveness of meditation. However, the benefits greatly differ between subjects with a high percentage of inefficacy. In this work, an EEG Neurofeedback Training System is proposed based on user-centered design methodology to provide real-time performance feedback to meditators to increase levels of attention and relaxation through a visual, sound and smell stimuli interface. Levels of attention and relaxation of nine participants were measured with a mobile Neurosky EEG headset biosensor during meditation practice to analyze the incidence of each type of stimuli during activity. Visual stimuli feedback was able to increase attention levels of 78% of the participants by 11.8% compared to a 1 M. Sc. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá-Distrito Capital, Colombia). nieto-andres@javeriana.edu.co. ORCID: 0000-0003-1934-8552 2 M. Sc. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá-Distrito Capital, Colombia). omar.ramirez@javeriana.edu.co. ORCID: 0000-0003-1492-7010 3 Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá-Distrito Capital, Colombia). luis.ballesteros@javeriana.edu.co. ORCID: 0000-0003-4660-2739 4 Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá-Distrito Capital, Colombia). angela.aragon@javeriana.edu.co. ORCID: 0000-0003-2968-244X Design of a Neurofeedback Training System for Meditation Based on EEG Technology Revista Facultad de Ingeniería (Rev. Fac. Ing.) Vol. 30 (55), e12489. January-March 2021. Tunja-Boyacá, Colombia. L-ISSN: 0121-1129, e-ISSN: 2357-5328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19053/01211129.v30.n55.2021.12489 meditation session without any stimuli. The sound stimuli feedback was able to increase the relaxation levels of 44.4% of the participants by 16% compared to a session without any stimuli. These results might bring new insights for the design of a neurofeedback system interface for meditation. Further research on neurofeedback training interfaces for meditators is suggested to validate these results with more participants.
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 3
- Modest Effects of Neurofeedback-Assisted Meditation Using a Wearable Device on Stress Reduction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Controlled Study. Journal of Korean medical science March 11, 2024
- Exploring technology-assisted mindfulness: a systematic progressive review on the role of virtual reality Virtual Reality September 2, 2025
- Mapping Protocols and Evidence on Combined EEG Neurofeedback and Meditation: A Systematic Review NeuroRegulation June 29, 2026
Cites 9
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- Large effects of brief meditation intervention on EEG spectra in meditation novices IBRO Reports October 27, 2020
- Comparing focused attention meditation to meditation with mobile neurofeedback for persistent symptoms after mild-moderate traumatic brain injury: a pilot study Brain Injury August 12, 2020
- Closed-Loop Frontal Midlineθ Neurofeedback: A Novel Approach for Training Focused-Attention Meditation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 30, 2020
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