Interaction between neuroanatomical and psychological changes after mindfulness-based training.
Emiliano Santarnecchi, Sicilia D'Arista, Eutizio Egiziano, Concetta Gardi, Roberta Petrosino, Giampaolo Vatti, Mario Reda, Alessandro Rossi
PLoS One October 20, 2014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108359 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Meditation-naive adults, compared with age- and gender-matched subjects |
| Intervention | Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Brain Humans Organ size Neuroanatomy Adult Female |
| Key findings | An 8-week MBSR program was associated with increased cortical thickness in the right insula and somatosensory cortex and reduced worry, state anxiety, depression, and alexithymia in 23 meditation-naive participants. The authors report that increased right insula thickness correlated with decreased alexithymia and propose the right insula as a possible mediator of the psychological changes. |
Abstract
Several cross-sectional studies have documented neuroanatomical changes in individuals with a long history of meditation, while a few evidences are available about the interaction between neuroanatomical and psychological changes even during brief exposure to meditation. Here we analyzed several morphometric indexes at both cortical and subcortical brain level, as well as multiple psychological dimensions, before and after a brief -8 weeks- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training program, in a group of 23 meditation naïve-subjects compared to age-gender matched subjects. We found a significant cortical thickness increase in the right insula and the somatosensory cortex of MBSR trainees, coupled with a significant reduction of several psychological indices related to worry, state anxiety, depression and alexithymia. Most importantly, an interesting correlation between the increase in right insula thickness and the decrease in alexithymia levels during the MBSR training were observed. Moreover, a multivariate pattern classification approach allowed to identify a cluster of regions more responsive to MBSR training across subjects. Taken together, these findings documented the significant impact of a brief MBSR training on brain structures, as well as stressing the idea of MBSR as a valuable tool for alexithymia modulation, also originally providing a plausible neurobiological evidence of a major role of right insula into mediating the observed psychological changes.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 32
- Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience March 26, 2018
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on alexithymia: a systematic review Evidence-Based Mental Health August 4, 2018
- Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines November 15, 2024
- Short‐term Sahaja Yoga meditation training modulates brain structure and spontaneous activity in the executive control network Brain and Behavior November 28, 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Heroism: Creating Enlightened Heroes Journal of Humanistic Psychology June 2, 2017
and 27 more in the library
Cites 30
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
and 25 more in the library