Intensive Training Induces Longitudinal Changes in Meditation State-related EEG Oscillatory Activity

Overview

Journal Front Hum Neurosci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2012 Sep 14

PMID 22973218

Citations 49

Authors

Manish Saggar

Brandon G King

Anthony P Zanesco

Katherine A MacLean

Stephen R Aichele

Tonya L Jacobs

David A Bridwell

Phillip R Shaver

Erika L Rosenberg

Baljinder K Sahdra

Emilio Ferrer

Akaysha C Tang

George R Mangun

B Alan Wallace

Risto Miikkulainen

Clifford D Saron

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The capacity to focus one's attention for an extended period of time can be increased through training in contemplative practices. However, the cognitive processes engaged during meditation that support trait changes in cognition are not well characterized. We conducted a longitudinal wait-list controlled study of intensive meditation training. Retreat participants practiced focused attention (FA) meditation techniques for three months during an initial retreat. Wait-list participants later undertook formally identical training during a second retreat. Dense-array scalp-recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) data were collected during 6 min of mindfulness of breathing meditation at three assessment points during each retreat. Second-order blind source separation, along with a novel semi-automatic artifact removal tool (SMART), was used for data preprocessing. We observed replicable reductions in meditative state-related beta-band power bilaterally over anteriocentral and posterior scalp regions. In addition, individual alpha frequency (IAF) decreased across both retreats and in direct relation to the amount of meditative practice. These findings provide evidence for replicable longitudinal changes in brain oscillatory activity during meditation and increase our understanding of the cortical processes engaged during meditation that may support long-term improvements in cognition.

Citing Articles

Oscillating Mindfully: Using Machine Learning to Characterize Systems-Level Electrophysiological Activity During Focused Attention Meditation.

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Mindfulness Training in High-Demand Cohorts Alters Resting-State Electroencephalography: An Exploratory Investigation of Individual Alpha Frequency, Aperiodic 1/ Activity, and Microstates.

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Augmenting complex and dynamic performance through mindfulness-based cognitive training: An evaluation of training adherence, trait mindfulness, personality and resting-state EEG.

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