Neural Oscillatory and Sympathetic Arousal Dynamics During Mindfulness Meditation: Characterizing Relaxed Alertness
Alexander T. Duda, Adam R. Clarke, Robert J. Barry
Psychophysiology October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.70425 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 min mindfulness meditation, with analyses of 8 min silent self-guided period divided into four 2 min segments; 2 min eyes-closed rest comparison |
| Measures | EEG oscillations (theta, delta, alpha, beta, gamma), skin conductance level (SCL) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Theta amplitude was greater during meditation than during eyes-closed rest, and exploratory analyses indicated greater delta amplitude with a progressive increase across the meditation period. Alpha amplitude showed no reliable state or temporal effects, and skin conductance did not differ overall, though an exploratory trend suggested an initial decrease then later increase. The authors argue these patterns are consistent with relaxed alertness rather than simply reduced arousal. |
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is often characterized as a state of relaxed alertness, yet the neural and autonomic processes that define this state remain unclear. This study examined concurrent electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillations and skin conductance level (SCL) during brief breath-focused mindfulness meditation, with a focus on temporal dynamics. EEG and SCL were recorded during 2 min of eyes-closed rest and a 15 min mindfulness meditation, with analyses focused on 8 min of the silent self-guided period following instruction, divided into four consecutive 2 min segments. Planned contrasts compared eyes-closed rest with mindfulness meditation and examined changes across the meditation period, while sex-related variability was explored. Meditation was associated with greater theta (4-7.5 Hz) amplitude than rest. Exploratory analyses also indicated greater delta (1-3.5 Hz) amplitude during meditation and a progressive increase in delta across the meditation period. Alpha amplitude (8-13 Hz) showed no reliable state-related or temporal effects. SCL did not differ between rest and meditation overall, although an exploratory trend analysis indicated an initial decrease followed by a later increase during meditation. Global alpha amplitude was positively associated with SCL during meditation, after accounting for participant differences and changes across the meditation period. Exploratory sex analyses suggested a larger rest-to-meditation theta increase in males and greater beta and gamma amplitudes in females across states, although these findings should be considered preliminary. Together, these results suggest that mindfulness meditation is not simply characterized by reduced arousal, but instead involves dynamic patterns of neural activity and sympathetic arousal that are broadly consistent with relaxed alertness.
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
Cites 23
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations Psychological Medicine November 27, 2009
and 18 more in the library