Comparing focused attention meditation to meditation with mobile neurofeedback for persistent symptoms after mild-moderate traumatic brain injury: a pilot study
Ginger Polich, S. Gray, D. Tran, L. Morales-Quezada, M. Glenn
Brain Injury August 12, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1802781 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized clinical trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Adults with chronic mood and/or cognitive complaints following mild-moderate traumatic brain injury |
| Intervention | Focused attention meditation |
| Dose | 12 minutes daily for 6 weeks |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Measures | Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT02615535 |
| Key findings | Meditating with mobile neurofeedback does not appear to provide an advantage over focused attention meditation alone for chronic post-TBI symptoms. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Primary Objective This study evaluated whether a meditation practice incorporating mobile neurofeedback (mNF) offers any advantage over a more traditional form of focused attention (FA) meditation in managing persistent symptoms after traumatic brain injury (TBI) (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02615535). Research Design Pilot randomized clinical trial, exploring feasibility of mNF in TBI. Methods and Procedures Participants included adults with chronic mood and/or cognitive complaints following mild-moderate TBI. Subjects practiced either FA (n = 10) or mNF (n = 10) meditation 12 minutes daily for 6 weeks. Pre-post intervention difference on the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) was the primary outcome variable. Secondary outcomes included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), amongst other scales and neurocognitive tests. Main Outcomes and Results No significant pre-post between-group differences were found on the NSI (p = .838) nor other assessments. In an exploratory analysis combining FA and mNF data, meditation was associated with significant improvements on the NSI (p = .04), BAI (p = .012) and BDI (p = .037). Conclusions Meditating with neurofeedback does not appear to provide an advantage over meditating on one’s own for chronic post-TBI symptoms. Further research on home-based meditation following TBI, whether self-directed or technologically facilitated, is warranted.
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
Cited by 8
- Mindfulness Practice with a Brain-Sensing Device Improved Cognitive Functioning of Elementary School Children: An Exploratory Pilot Study Brain Sciences January 12, 2022
- 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
- Consumer-Grade Neurofeedback With Mindfulness Meditation: Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research April 17, 2025
- Mapping Protocols and Evidence on Combined EEG Neurofeedback and Meditation: A Systematic Review NeuroRegulation June 29, 2026
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Children’s Self-Regulation Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem 2023
and 3 more in the library
Cites 23
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness on-the-go: Effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology May 3, 2018
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improves long-term mental fatigue after stroke or traumatic brain injury Brain Injury July 13, 2012
- Group, One-on-One, or Internet? Preferences for Mindfulness Meditation Delivery Format and their Predictors Open Medicine Journal November 28, 2014
- No sustained attention differences in a longitudinal randomized trial comparing mindfulness based stress reduction versus active control. PLoS One 2014
and 18 more in the library