A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations

Abstract

Please cite this article as: Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I., Fu, C.H.Y.,A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10. 1016/j.neubiorev.2015.09.018 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Running title: The neurophysiology of mindfulness 2 Abstract:Mindfulness meditation has been purported as a beneficial practice for wellbeing. It would be expected that the neurophysiology of mindfulness would reflect this impact on wellbeing.However, investigations of the effect of mindfulness have generated mixed reports of increases, decreases, as well as no differences in EEG oscillations in comparison with a resting state and a variety of tasks. We have performed systematic review of EEG studies of mindfulness meditation in order to determine any common effects and to identify factors which may impact on the effects. Databases were reviewed from 1966 to August 2015.Eligibility criteria included empirical quantitative analyses of mindfulness meditation practice and EEG measurements acquired in relation to practice. A total of 56 papers met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review, consisting of a total 1,715 subjects: 1,358 healthy individuals and 357 individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. Studies were principally examined for power outcomes in each bandwidth, in particular the power differentials between mindfulness and the control state, as well as outcomes relating to hemispheric asymmetry and event-related potentials. The systematic review revealed that mindfulness was most commonly associated with enhanced alpha and theta power as compared to an eyes closed resting state, although such outcomes were not uniformly reported. No consistent patterns were observed with respect to beta, delta and gamma bandwidths. In summary, mindfulness is associated with increased alpha and theta power in both healthy individuals and in patient groups. This co-presence of elevated alpha and theta may signify a state of relaxed alertness which is conducive to mental health.

Effect of Zembrin® on Brain Electrical Activity in 60 Older Subjects after 6 Weeks of Daily Intake. A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 3-Armed Study in a Parallel Design

“…In the presence of the higher dose a statistically significant increase of all frequencies was recognized at the right central electrode position C 4 and of alpha2 and beta at C 3 . Statistically significant increases of alpha1 and alpha2 spectral power were seen in central and right temporal regions.…”

“…However, in the presence of the higher dosage statistically significant increases of alpha1 and alpha2 power were recognized in frontal (F 3 and F 4 ) central (C 3 and C 4 ), temporal (T 4,5,6 ) and occipital brain areas (O 1,2 ). With respect to beta1 power only less prominent increases were seen.…”

“…Larger increases of delta and theta spectral power were observed at electrode positions F 3 , C 3 and F 8 in comparison to the original recordings on the first day after daily intake of 50 mg of Zembrin® (Figure 12). After intake of the lower dosage of Zembrin® for 6 weeks a long-lasting change of the brain's response during performance of the memory test was observed as a statistically significant increase of delta spectral power at electrode position T 4 . Increases of delta, theta power were seen during performance of the memory test after repetitive intake of the higher dosage in comparison to baseline recording on the first day in frontal (F 3 ), central (C 3 ) and occipital (O 1 ) electrode positions ( Figure 13).…”

“…Subsequently, reflection of cognitive challenges in the quantitative EEG was reported to differ according to special tasks [3]. The physiology of mindfulness has been related to EEG oscillations also recently [4]. Using questionnaires a relationship between mood and EEG spectra was reported [5].…”

Gratitude and Athletes’ Life Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Mindfulness

“…Mindfulness, a concept deriving from Buddhists that emphasizes full awareness of the present moment with a non-judgment orientation, has already received significant consideration in mainstream psychology (Good et al, in press ;Keng, Smoski, & Robins, 2011;Lomas, Ivtzan, & Fu, 2015). The idea of mindfulness is valued by sports psychologists because awareness of one's internal mind and the external world without mental judgment enhances athletes' performance and well-being (Birrer, Röthlin, & Morgan, 2012;Gardner & Moore, 2004, 2012 According to this framework, we reasoned that mindfulness enables individuals to promote their emotion awareness to level two.…”