Attentional Experience, Autonomic Function and Network Dynamics During the ISAAA Observational Stage of Mindfulness Training
PsyArXiv Preprints October 9, 2026 preprint DOI: osf:m367n_v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Uncontrolled pre-post observational study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Participants in a five-day meditation camp; subsets provided wrist photoplethysmography data (n = 14) and usable RMSSD data (n = 12) |
| Duration | Five-day meditation camp; five minutes of rest followed by four five-minute practice blocks |
| Measures | Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS), RMSSD, Emotional Awareness |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Curiosity Decentering Interoceptive awareness Interpersonal synchrony Isaaa Network dynamics Pulse rate variability Rmssd Toronto mindfulness scale Physiology Cognitive psychology Attention |
| Key findings | Curiosity and Decentering on the Toronto Mindfulness Scale increased significantly from pre- to post-camp (2.70 and 2.82 points, respectively). RMSSD was lower during practice than at rest, which the authors interpret as compatible with engaged observation, though they caution that a firm autonomic interpretation needs more data. Interpersonal pulse-rate networks showed small correlations and no significant comparisons. |
Abstract
Objectives. To characterize attentional experience, pulse rate variability (PRV), and interpersonal pulse-rate networks during the observational stage of Interoceptive Sensitivity for Attentional–Autonomic Alignment (ISAAA) training. Methods. In an uncontrolled five-day meditation camp, 48 participants provided linked pre- and post-camp questionnaires. Post-camp wrist photoplethysmography recorded five minutes of rest followed by four five-minute practice blocks (n = 14). Exploratory analyses related three questionnaire scores to proportional rest-to-meditation RMSSD change (n = 12) and examined interpersonal pulse-rate networks (n = 14). Results. On the Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS), Curiosity increased by 2.70 points (95% CI [1.45, 3.95], dz = .63, p < .001, Holm-adjusted) and Decentering by 2.82 points ([1.80, 3.84], dz = .81, p < .001, Holm-adjusted); both remained Holm-significant across six alternative pre-post linkage reconstructions. RMSSD block means were lower during practice than at rest (50.36–68.80 vs. 96.70 ms), with no detected difference across practice blocks (p = .2773). Pulse rate showed no detectable change. Emotional Awareness correlated with the meditation/rest RMSSD ratio (ρ = −.68, p = .015, did not survive correction). Mean absolute interpersonal correlation was .070 at rest and .057 during the first practice block; no network comparison was significant. Conclusions. Stage 1 training was accompanied by increased curiosity and decentering. The physiological pattern is compatible with engaged observation, indicating a potential attention-autonomic correlation, while the baseline and processing need more data on a firm autonomic interpretation. Interpersonal networks provide an exploratory group-level perspective without establishing increased synchrony or social connection.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |