Effects of a brief mindfulness-meditation intervention on neural measures of response inhibition in cigarette smokers.
Catherine I. Andreu, Diego Cosmelli, Heleen A. Slagter, Ingmar H. A. Franken
PLoS One 2018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191661 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Smokers (33 females, mean age 20 years) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness instructions Control instructions |
| Duration | Approximately 15 minutes of mindfulness or control instructions |
| Measures | P3 amplitude, Go/NoGo task |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A brief mindfulness practice produced no behavioral differences in response inhibition compared with control instructions, but EEG showed a smaller P3 amplitude during NoGo versus Go trials in the mindfulness group. The authors suggest this lower P3 may indicate less-effortful response inhibition and propose that enhanced response inhibition could underlie mindfulness's positive effects on smoking behavior. |
Abstract
Research suggests that mindfulness-practices may aid smoking cessation. Yet, the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of mindfulness-practices on smoking are unclear. Response inhibition is a main deficit in addiction, is associated with relapse, and could therefore be a candidate target for mindfulness-based practices. The current study hence investigated the effects of a brief mindfulness-practice on response inhibition in smokers using behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) measures. Fifty participants (33 females, mean age 20 years old) underwent a protocol of cigarette exposure to induce craving (cue-exposure) and were then randomly assigned to a group receiving mindfulness-instructions or control-instructions (for 15 minutes approximately). Immediately after this, they performed a smoking Go/NoGo task, while their brain activity was recorded. At the behavioral level, no group differences were observed. However, EEG analyses revealed a decrease in P3 amplitude during NoGo vs. Go trials in the mindfulness versus control group. The lower P3 amplitude might indicate less-effortful response inhibition after the mindfulness-practice, and suggest that enhanced response inhibition underlies observed positive effects of mindfulness on smoking behavior.
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 13
- The impact of a brief mindfulness training on interoception: A randomized controlled trial PLoS One September 7, 2022
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Addiction Symptoms: Does Neuroplasticity Play a Role? Brain Sciences March 27, 2024
- Exploring the impact of a brief mindfulness-based intervention on autonomic functioning: A multisystem approach Physiology & Behavior April 17, 2026
- Sip, savor, but don't spill: mindfulness enhances alcohol enjoyment without boosting consumption. Addictive Behaviors 2026
- Parsing state mindfulness effects on neurobehavioral markers of cognitive control: A within-subject comparison of focused attention and open monitoring. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience February 13, 2024
and 8 more in the library
Cites 44
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- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
- Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence Journal of Neuroscience October 21, 2009
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