EEG Effects of Vibroacoustic Stimulation and Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Cognitive Well-Being, Concentration, and Relaxation
Charlotte Fooks, Oliver Niebuhr
Psychology International September 29, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/psycholint7040080 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Vibroacoustic stimulation Guided mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Relaxation psychology Electroencephalography Mindfulness meditation Cognition Audiology Brain stimulation Psychological intervention Cognitive psychology |
| Key findings | Vibroacoustic stimulation and guided mindfulness meditation have different cognitive effects, with vibroacoustic stimulation increasing concentration and well-being and meditation primarily increasing relaxation. |
Abstract
This research compared the cognitive effects of two interventions postulated to induce well-being, concentration, and relaxation: vibroacoustic stimulation and guided mindfulness meditation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) biosignals were used to quantify results and were collated together with subjective first-person verbal accounts. Participants were divided into three groups: guided mindfulness meditation (Group1), vibroacoustic stimulation (Group2), and a no-stimuli control (Group3). EEG results show that vibroacoustic stimulation and guided mindfulness meditation have different cognitive effects. Vibroacoustic stimulation increased concentration and well-being during exposure, with increased relaxation found to be the main effect of meditation. Verbal accounts reinforce these findings. Effects were short-term; practical future implications for vibroacoustic stimulation are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 18
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
- Physical Activity, Mindfulness Meditation, or Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Stress Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback June 25, 2015
and 13 more in the library