Electrophysiological effects of mindfulness meditation in a concentration test

• Published in: Medical & biological engineering & computing Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 759 - 773
• Main Authors: Morais, Pedro, Quaresma, Claúdia, Vigário, Ricardo, Quintão, Carla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; Computer Applications; EEG; EKG; Electrocardiography; Electroencephalography; Heart rate; Human Physiology; Imaging; Longitudinal studies; Meditation; Mindfulness; Nervous system; Parasympathetic nervous system; Quality of life; Radiology; Reduction; Review Article; ECG; DASS; EDA; Concentration; Mindfulness; EEG
• ISSN: 0140-0118; 1741-0444; 1741-0444
• DOI: 10.1007/s11517-021-02332-y

In this paper, we evaluate the effects of mindfulness meditation training in electrophysiological signals, recorded during a concentration task. Longitudinal experiments have been limited to the analysis of psychological scores through depression, anxiety, and stress state (DASS) surveys. Here, we present a longitudinal study, confronting DASS survey data with electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) signals. Twenty-five university student volunteers (mean age = 26, SD = 7, 9 male) attended a 25-h mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course, over a period of 8 weeks. There were four evaluation periods: pre/peri/post-course and a fourth follow-up, after 2 months. All three recorded biosignals presented congruent results, in line with the expected benefits of regular meditation practice. In average, EDA activity decreased throughout the course, −64.5%, whereas the mean heart rate displayed a small reduction, −5.8%, possibly as a result of an increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity. Prefrontal (AF3) cortical alpha activity, often associated with calm conditions, saw a very significant increase, 148.1%. Also, the number of stressed and anxious subjects showed a significant decrease, −92.9% and −85.7%, respectively. Easy to practice and within everyone’s reach, this mindfulness meditation can be used proactively to prevent or enhance better quality of life. Graphical abstract 25 volunteers attended a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course in 4 evaluation periods: Pre/Peri/Post-course and a fourth follow-up after two months. A Depression, Anxiety and Stress State (DASS) survey is completed in each period. Electrodermal Activity (EDA), Electrocardiography (ECG) and Electroencephalography (EEG) are also recorded and processed. By integrating self-reported surveys and electrophysiological recordings there is strong evidence of evolution in wellbeing. Mindfulness meditation can be used proactively to prevent or enhance better quality of life.