A single case design to examine short-term intracranial EEG patterns during focused meditation.
Dana Dharmakaya Colgan, Tab Memmott, Dan Klee, Lia Ernst, Seunggu J Han, Barry Oken
Neuroscience Letters August 17, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134441 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single case experimental design (multiple crossover ABAB) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | One adult human with intracranial EEG electrodes |
| Intervention | Breath awareness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Brain mapping Cross-over studies Signal processing, computer-assisted Adult Male Electrocorticography Intracranial EEG Breath awareness meditation |
| Key findings | Brief breath awareness meditation was consistently associated with increased alpha power compared with an active control task in one person's intracranial EEG; effects on theta, beta, and high gamma activity were less consistent. Nonparametric tests supported the alpha result. The authors argue that intracranial EEG can reveal meditation physiology with less contamination from high-frequency muscle activity. |
Abstract
Purpose: This study used a multiple crossover ABAB single case design to examine intracranial EEG data during a breath awareness meditation and an active control task.
Results: Visual analyses suggest that a brief breath awareness mediation was consistently associated with increased alpha power when compared to the active control. Less consistent effects were found with theta, beta, and high gamma activity. Nonparametric tests provided additional support for this finding.
Conclusions: Acquiring intracranial EEG patterns during a meditative state may provide more insight into the physiology of meditation with less contamination of high-frequency muscle activity. While access to intracranial EEG during meditation is rarely available, single case design studies are considered adaptations of interrupted time-series designs and can provide an experimental evaluation of intervention effects.
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 7
- Neurophysiological mechanisms of focused attention meditation: A scoping systematic review Imaging Neuroscience 2025
- A Longitudinal Single Case Study on Short-Duration Mind-Body Relaxation and Rejuvenation Technique Inspired from Ancient Mālā Japa Multidisciplinary Research Journal January 21, 2025
- An easy and time-effective meditative approach for relaxation and rejuvenation of the body and mind Research Square August 16, 2023
- Continuous EEG of memories of Near-death and mystical experiences: Preliminary research World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews November 11, 2022
- Mindfulness meditation increases interictal epileptiform discharges in meditation-naïve surgical epilepsy patients. Epilepsia June 16, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 13
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- Minding one’s emotions: Mindfulness training alters the neural expression of sadness. Emotion February 1, 2010
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
- Intensive training induces longitudinal changes in meditation state-related EEG oscillatory activity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
and 8 more in the library