Mindfulness Training Associated With Resting-State Electroencephalograms Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-Scan.

Hei-Yin Hydra Ng,Feng-Ying Huang,Chih-Mao Huang,Chia-Fen Hsu,Changwei W Wu,Chun-Hsiang Chuang,Shiao-Fei Guu,Yu-Ting Cheng,Yi-Ping Chao,Tzyy-Ping Jung

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748584

Abstract

Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been proven to improve mental health and quality of life. This study examined how mindfulness training and various types of mindfulness practices altered brain activity.Methods: Specifically, the spectral powers of scalp electroencephalography of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group (n=17) who underwent an 8-week MBSR training—including mindful breathing and body-scan—were evaluated and compared with those of the waitlist controls (n=14).Results: Empirical results indicated that the post-intervention effect of MBSR significantly elevated the resting-state beta powers and reduced resting-state delta powers in both practices; such changes were not observed in the waitlist control. Compared with mindful breathing, body-scanning resulted in an overall decline in electroencephalograms (EEG) spectral powers at both delta and low-gamma bands among trained participants.Conclusion: Together with our preliminary data of expert mediators, the aforementioned spectral changes were salient after intervention, but mitigated along with expertise. Additionally, after receiving training, the MBSR group’s mindfulness and emotion regulation levels improved significantly, which were correlated with the EEG spectral changes in the theta, alpha, and low-beta bands. The results supported that MBSR might function as a unique internal processing tool that involves increased vigilant capability and induces alterations similar to other cognitive training.

Highlights

For Mindfulness refers to the mental state of being fully open and having attentional and nonjudgmental awareness of one’s internal and external experiences in the present moment (KabatZinn, 1994)
Our results further suggest that mindfulness and its positive outcomes involve a complex mechanism
We argued that our results are convincing because the results are still significant with small sample size, and the trends are consistent with our predictions based on the previous works on mindfulness

Summary

Introduction

For Mindfulness refers to the mental state of being fully open and having attentional and nonjudgmental awareness of one’s internal and external experiences in the present moment (KabatZinn, 1994). Mindfulness meditation has attracted global attention because of its benefits to practitioners’ mental health (Brown and Ryan, 2003). Among various types of mindfulness interventions, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a standardized and secularized training program designed to improve mindfulness and coping abilities (Kabat-Zinn, 1994). MBSR programs typically span 8 weeks of weekly training, include one full-day workshop (Kabat-Zinn, 1994), and involve continuous mindfulness practices, such as mindful breathing, body-scan, and sitting meditation. Studies have demonstrated that after an 8-week training period, MBSR is generally effective in reducing depression and anxiety and promoting mental health (Fjorback et al, 2011). Abundant evidence supports the role of MBSR in improving subjective perceptions, the brain mechanisms underlying MBSR remain to be investigated

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Discussion

Conclusion