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Changes in Multisensory Integration Following Brief State Induction and Longer-Term Training with Body Scan Meditation

Tess Guthrie, Julian R. Matthews, Richard Chambers, Jennifer Windt, Jakob Hohwy

Mindfulness May 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01869-9 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Intervention Body scan meditation
Duration 20-minute state induction; 14-day training programme of 10–15 minutes each day
Topics Meditation
Key findings A state mindfulness induction increased the rubber hand illusion, while 14 days of mindfulness training decreased it more than relaxed listening.

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to examine the impact of state and trait mindfulness cultivated through body scan meditation, on bodily multisensory integration, in order to explore effects of increased non-judgmental/accepting attention to ambiguous bodily sensations.MethodsMultisensory integration was operationalised through the rubber hand illusion, which was measured through subjective questionnaires, proprioceptive drift and skin conductance to perceived threat. State mindfulness was induced through a 20-min body scan meditation. Trait mindfulness was enhanced through a 14-day training programme of 10–15-min body scan meditation each day. An active control group engaged in relaxed listening. Trait mindfulness and trait bodily awareness were measured through questionnaires.ResultsThe state mindfulness induction was associated with a stronger reported rubber hand illusion than relaxed listening. In contrast, both 14 days of mindfulness training and of relaxed listening were associated with a decrease in reported rubber hand illusion, with a larger decrease after mindfulness training compared to relaxed listening.ConclusionsA state mindfulness induction increased participants’ experience of the bodily illusion, while longer-term mindfulness training dampened the illusion, suggesting state and trait mindfulness via body scan meditation may have differential relationships with bodily multisensory integration. We discuss this finding in terms of initial attention-mediated salience of ambiguous somatosensory signals, followed by acceptance.

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

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