Modulation of induced frontocentral theta (Fm-θ) event-related (de-)synchronisation dynamics following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in Major Depressive Disorder.
Poppy L A Schoenberg, Anne E. M. Speckens
Cognitive Neurodynamics October 2014 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-014-9294-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled trial (MBCT vs. wait-list), observational EEG comparison Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 51 |
| Population | Patients with a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Event-related de-synchronisation erd/ers Fm-theta Oscillatory EEG Rumination |
| Key findings | MBCT was associated with enhanced induced frontal midline theta synchronisation in the 400-800 ms window from pre- to post-intervention, while wait-list controls showed the opposite pattern. These modulated ERD/ERS dynamics correlated with reductions in depressive and rumination symptoms in the MBCT group. The authors propose a neural disengagement mechanism and hypothesise multi-levelled, nonlinear, interdependent mechanisms. |
Abstract
Depressive severity has been associated with attenuated neocortical frontal midline theta (Fm-θ) power/evoked activity. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has shown to be a successful novel intervention for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), albeit precise working mechanisms remain elusive. We examined the hypothesis that MBCT would have modulating effects upon evoked Fm-θ power, in addition to investigating possible mediation of induced event-related de/synchronisation (ERD/ERS) dynamics. Fifty one patients with a primary diagnosis of MDD (26 exposed to MBCT vs. 25 wait-list/WL controls) undertook a Go/NoGo task consisting of positive, negative and neutral words, further stratified into abstract versus trait adjective matrices. Depressive symptom severity and rumination were also examined. A pattern of enhanced induced Fm-θ synchronisation during the latter 400-800 ms temporal-window pre-to-post MBCT was observed; the contrary in the WL. Modulated ERD/ERS dynamics correlated to amelioration in depressive and rumination symptoms in the MBCT group. We propose the primary action pathway alluded to a neural disengagement mechanism enacting upon tonic neuronal assemblies implicated in emotional and self-related processing. Due to the complexity and presently undiscovered complete unified scientific understanding of neuro-oscillatory-dynamics, and associated clinical interplays; we hypothesise that the electro-cortical and connected clinical working pathways of MBCT in depression are multi-levelled constituting nonlinear and interdependent mechanisms, represented by mediated EEG synchronisation dynamics.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
- The Effect of Mindfulness-based Programs on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Neuropsychology Review August 4, 2021
- Mapping meditative states and stages with electrophysiology: concepts, classifications, and methods. Current Opinion in Psychology August 1, 2019
- Mindfulness meditators show altered distributions of early and late neural activity markers of attention in a response inhibition task PLoS One August 6, 2019
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C): A Clinical Approach for Teaching Mindfulness to Children Neuromethods 2026
and 8 more in the library
Cites 14
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- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
- Mindfulness training increases momentary positive emotions and reward experience in adults vulnerable to depression: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology July 18, 2011
and 9 more in the library