Common and Dissociable Neural Activity After Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Relaxation Response Programs

Abstract

Objective We investigated common and dissociable neural and psychological correlates of two widely used meditation-based stress-reduction programs. Methods Participants were randomized to the Relaxation Response (RR; n=18; 56% female) or the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR; n=16, 56% female) programs. Both programs utilize a ‘bodyscan’ meditation, however the RR program explicitly emphasizes physical relaxation during this practice, while the MBSR program emphasizes mindful awareness with no explicit relaxation instructions. Following the programs, neural activity during the respective meditation was investigated using fMRI. Results Both programs were associated with reduced stress (for RR, from 14.1±6.6 to11.3± 5.5; Cohen’s d=0.50; for MBSR, from 17.7±5.7 to 11.9±5.0; Cohen’s d= 1.02). Conjunction analyses revealed functional coupling between ventromedial prefrontal regions and supplementary motor areas (p<0.001). The disjunction analysis indicated that the RR bodyscan was associated with stronger functional connectivity of the right inferior frontal gyrus – an important hub of intentional inhibition and control-with supplementary motor areas (p<0.001, FWE corrected). The MBSR program was uniquely associated with improvements in self-compassion and rumination and the within group analysis of MBSR bodyscan revealed significant functional connectivity of the right anterior insula – an important hub of sensory awareness and salience-with pregenual anterior cingulate during bodyscan meditation compared to rest (p=0.03, FWE corrected). Conclusions The bodyscan exercises in each program were associated with both overlapping and differential functional coupling patterns, which were consistent with each program’s theoretical foundation. These results may have implications for the differential effects of these programs for the treatment of diverse conditions.

What Has Neuroimaging Taught Us on the Neurobiology of Yoga? A Review

“…(C) Neural activation: red ( Engström et al, 2010 ), purple ( Kalyani et al, 2011 ), green ( Froeliger et al, 2012c ), pink ( Hernández et al, 2015 ), orange ( Mishra et al, 2017 ), yellow ( Wadden et al, 2018 ), dark blue ( Gothe et al, 2018 ), and light blue ( Lin et al, 2015 ). (D) Functional connectivity, seed regions (circles with a white border) connected (full lines) with brain regions (circles), representing higher functional connectivity: red ( Gard et al, 2015 ); higher degree centrality for caudate nuclei, blue ( Hernández et al, 2018 ), green ( Sevinc et al, 2018 ), pink ( Eyre et al, 2016 ), purple ( Santaella et al, 2019 ), light blue represents a network with a change in power spectrum ( Dodich et al, 2019 ), not in this figure ( Froeliger et al, 2012a ). (E) Neurotransmitters and metabolites: yellow , increased dopamine signaling ( Kjaer et al, 2002 ); red , increased GABA without exact location ( Streeter et al, 2007 ); dark blue (GABA levels) ( Streeter et al, 2010 ); green , increased N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and decrease myoinositol (MI) ( Nagothu et al, 2015 ); purple , no change in MI or NAA ( Santhakumari et al, 2016 ); white , no change in metabolite levels in hippocampus and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex ( Yang et al, 2016 ).…”

“…In contrast, functional connectivity was significantly decreased between the mPFC and thalamus/parahippocampal gyrus throughout both the meditation and resting state ( Hernández et al, 2018 ). Similarly, Sevinc et al (2018) also used the mPFC as seed region to evaluate the common and dissociable neural correlates of an MBSR ( n = 18) intervention (including yoga poses) and a relaxation response (RR; n = 16) program in a longitudinal setting. For this study, two a priori seeds were used: the mPFC (associated with focused attention) and the anterior insula (for its role in somatosensory awareness).…”

“…Both interventions revealed functional coupling between mPFC (seed) and supplementary motor areas during meditation compared to rest. However, the MBSR program was uniquely associated increased functional connectivity between the anterior insula (seed) and the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex during body scan meditation compared with rest ( Sevinc et al, 2018 ). Santaella et al (2019) used the same seed (mPFC as main anterior seed of the DMN) to address neuronal connectivity in an healthy elderly female population ( n = 40; same subjects as in Afonso et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Eight studies investigated neural activation changes during yoga meditation, with a majority of the studies showing increased activation in the frontal regions during yoga meditation ( Froeliger et al, 2012c ; Hernández et al, 2015 ; Lin et al, 2017 ; Mishra et al, 2017 ). Functional connectivity studies ( Froeliger et al, 2012a ; Gard et al, 2015 ; Eyre et al, 2016 ; Hernández et al, 2018 ; Sevinc et al, 2018 ; Dodich et al, 2019 ; Santaella et al, 2019 ) observed improved connectivity in yoga subjects, compared to controls, in multiple networks and regions. Half of the studies on functional connectivity focused on the DMN, using seed-based analyses with seeds in the PFC ( Hernández et al, 2018 ; Sevinc et al, 2018 ; Santaella et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Functional connectivity studies ( Froeliger et al, 2012a ; Gard et al, 2015 ; Eyre et al, 2016 ; Hernández et al, 2018 ; Sevinc et al, 2018 ; Dodich et al, 2019 ; Santaella et al, 2019 ) observed improved connectivity in yoga subjects, compared to controls, in multiple networks and regions. Half of the studies on functional connectivity focused on the DMN, using seed-based analyses with seeds in the PFC ( Hernández et al, 2018 ; Sevinc et al, 2018 ; Santaella et al, 2019 ). Studies investigated different yoga styles, and heterogeneous results were found, but with a consistent increased connectivity toward the PFC.…”