Neural correlates of mindfulness practice for naive meditators

Abstract

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a widely-used form of mindfulness-based meditation, has shown positive effects on reducing psychological stress, and helping the immune system and a variety of disorders. So far little is known as to how neurophysiological activity is affected by MBSR and how it changes over time as a meditator becomes more experienced with MBSR. In this study we investigated naive meditators' EEG activity during an eight-week MBSR program. We developed easy-to-use and portable dry-sensor EEG devices and the participants recorded data by themselves. We investigated the effect of concentration level on EEG power spectrum, and tracked how EEG changed over time during the program. Significant results were found between EEG and concentration, and between EEG and amount of experience. We discussed our findings in the context of EEG rhythmic activity in relation to meditation. Our findings provided insight into developing a BCI system to guide meditation practice. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.