Mindfulness Meditation – From Traditional Approaches to Mobile Applications (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Liebher ◽  
Yi-Yuan Tang
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Traditional Programs ◽  
Temporal Flexibility ◽  
Individual Use ◽  
Traditional Approaches

BACKGROUND Since the 1970s, psychological and neuroscientific research has had an increasing interest in mindfulness meditation. The resulting findings were followed by various programs which are based on the same idea: mindfulness meditation is a process of openly attending, with awareness to one’s present moment experience. In recent years the traditional programs have been turned more and more into digital applications, which promise increased spatial and temporal flexibility as well as an individual use. However, the large number of mobile applications offered contrasts with few evidence-based programs. OBJECTIVE The present review aims to consider the potential of mobile but also traditional programs to improve executive functions and alter neural mechanisms, in order to meet the growing demands of our digitized everyday life. METHODS - RESULTS By reviewing previous empirical findings and theoretical considerations, we describe short-term and long-term effects of both types as well as challenges and limitations with which they are faced. CONCLUSIONS Furthermore, we provide potential solutions for future programs with a specific focus of improving executive functions and underlying neural mechanisms. CLINICALTRIAL -

scholarly journals The English gerund revisited

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Maekelberghe
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Distributional Preferences ◽  
Temporal Flexibility ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
Distributional Dimension ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Semantic Typology

AbstractThis paper re-examines the semantics of Present-day English gerunds by analyzing their collocational preferences. While traditional approaches suggest that a semantic opposition between ‘actions’ and ‘facts’ determines the meaning as well as the distributional preferences of nominal (the signing of the contract) and verbal (signing the contract) gerunds, these claims have not been supported by quantitative evidence. At the same time, more recent studies which quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the meaning of gerunds from a referential perspective lack a distributional dimension. This study presents a semantic typology of the nouns and verbs that are attracted to nominal and verbal gerunds in noun and verb complementation structures by means of a distinctive collexeme analysis which has been applied to contextual collexemes. The analysis shows that, while nominal and verbal gerunds occur in clearly distinctive contexts, this distinction does not appear to be based on an action-fact dichotomy, but is rather determined by the more abstract features of conceptual (in)dependence and temporal flexibility. Finally, it is shown how these abstract semantic profiles can be filled in more concretely by specific contextual slots, thus arriving at a more fine-grained and dynamic perspective on the semantics of English gerunds.

scholarly journals Mindfulness Meditation Is Related to Long-Lasting Changes in Hippocampal Functional Topology during Resting State: A Magnetoencephalography Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Lardone ◽  
Marianna Liparoti ◽  
Pierpaolo Sorrentino ◽  
Rosaria Rucco ◽  
Francesca Jacini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Functional Topology ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Brain

It has been suggested that the practice of meditation is associated to neuroplasticity phenomena, reducing age-related brain degeneration and improving cognitive functions. Neuroimaging studies have shown that the brain connectivity changes in meditators. In the present work, we aim to describe the possible long-term effects of meditation on the brain networks. To this aim, we used magnetoencephalography to study functional resting-state brain networks in Vipassana meditators. We observed topological modifications in the brain network in meditators compared to controls. More specifically, in the theta band, the meditators showed statistically significant (p corrected = 0.009) higher degree (a centrality index that represents the number of connections incident upon a given node) in the right hippocampus as compared to controls. Taking into account the role of the hippocampus in memory processes, and in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, meditation might have a potential role in a panel of preventive strategies.

scholarly journals Effect of mindfulness meditation on attention and executive functions in elderly people

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Bhagya Kodavanji ◽  
Naren Kurmi ◽  
Rekha D K ◽  
Sheila R Pai
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation

scholarly journals Identification of selection and inhibition components in a Go/NoGo task from EEG spectra using a machine learning model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bambi L. DeLaRosa ◽  
Jeffrey S. Spence ◽  
Michael A. Motes ◽  
Wing To ◽  
Sven Vanneste ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Frequency Bands ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Eeg Spectra ◽  
Therapeutic Uses ◽  
Machine Learning Model ◽  
Superior Parietal Cortex ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
Traditional Approaches

AbstractPrior Go/NoGo studies have localized specific regions and EEG spectra for which traditional approaches have distinguished between Go and NoGo conditions. A more detailed characterization of the spatial distribution and timing of the synchronization of frequency bands would contribute substantially to the clarification of neural mechanisms that underlie performance of the Go/NoGo task. The present study used a machine learning approach to learn the features that distinguish between ERSPs involved in selection and inhibition in a Go/NoGo task. A neural network classifier was used to predict task conditions for each subject to characterize ERSPs associated with Go versus NoGo trials. The final model accurately identified individual task conditions at an overall rate of 92%, estimated by 5-fold cross-validation. The detailed accounting of EEG time-frequency patterns localized to brain sources (i.e., thalamus, preSMA, orbitofrontal cortex, and superior parietal cortex) provides elaboration on previous findings from fMRI and EEG studies and more information about EEG power changes in multiple frequency bands (i.e., primarily theta power increase, alpha decreases, and beta increases and decreases) within these regions underlying the selection and inhibition processes engaged in the Go and NoGo trials. This extends previous findings, providing more information about neural mechanisms underlying selection and inhibition processes engaged in the Go and NoGo trials, respectively, and may offer insight into therapeutic uses of neuromodulation in neural dysfunction.

scholarly journals State Mindfulness Scale (SMS)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liad Ruimi ◽  
Yuval Hadash ◽  
Galia Tanay ◽  
Amit Bernstein
Keyword(s):  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Psychometric Study ◽  
Mindful Awareness ◽  
State Mindfulness ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Mental Events ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

The Satipatṭhāna Sutta describes mindfulness as a mental state characterized by the objects of mindful awareness (i.e., what experience a person attends to) and mental qualities of that mindful awareness (i.e., how a person attends to experience). In contemporary psychology, mindfulness is often similarly conceptualized as a trait or a state characterized by two components: attention of physical/bodily and mental present moment experience (i.e., what experience a person attends to) and a mental attitude characterized by curiosity and acceptance of present moment experience (i.e., how a person attends to experience) (Bishop et al., 2004; Lindsay & Creswell, 2017). Integrating these canonical and contemporary theoretical perspectives, Tanay and Bernstein (2013) developed the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS). The SMS is a 21-item self-report measure designed to assess state mindfulness. More specifically, the SMS is designed to quantify subjective levels of present moment attention to and awareness of two domains of experiential events or objects of which one may be mindful, bodily sensations and mental events, during a specific period of time (e.g., past 15 minutes) and context (e.g., mindfulness meditation or other activity). In this chapter, we review the theoretical foundations, development, initial validation and subsequent psychometric study of the SMS. We also describe the SMS administration and scoring, and briefly, the limitations and possible next steps for the psychometric study of the SMS and the measurement of state mindfulness more broadly.

scholarly journals Soroxchi after Traveling to South America: Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Changes in a Patient with Bilateral Globus Pallidus Lesions

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1284-1284
Author(s):  
E Baena ◽  
A M Strutt
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Globus Pallidus ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Acute Mountain Sickness ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Visuospatial Abilities ◽  
Confrontation Naming ◽  
New Finding

Abstract Objective Soroxchi/Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a condition that can result in cerebral and pulmonary hypoxia. Neuropsychological research on AMS is minimal and the long-term effects on cognition and behavior are unclear. AMS is associated with cognitive impairments in processing speed, attention, and executive functions as well as neurobehavioral symptoms. This case study delineates the neuropsychological and neurobehavioral changes secondary to bilateral globus pallidus (GP) lesions associated with AMS. Case Description Patient is a 51-year old, primarily Spanish-speaking, male of Mexican descent with 9 years of education, and who had traveled to La Paz, Bolivia (4,070 MASL) for work. Upon arrival, fatigue and dizziness led to hospitalization to treat acute pulmonary edema and hypoxia. Brain MRI revealed hyperintense bilateral GP lesions. Medical history was notable for hyperlipidemia. Psychiatric history was unremarkable. Neuropsychological assessment 4 months post-AMS revealed impairments in visuo-conceptual and speeded complex visuospatial abilities, executive functions, and confrontation naming. Cognitive improvements were noted in delayed recall of non-contextual verbal information and confrontation naming ten months post-AMS. Significant mood and personality changes were reported; patient endorsed anhedonia, fatigue, alexithymia, avolition, and sleep difficulties. Family described patient as depressed, apathetic, and socially withdrawn. Pharmacological and psychotherapy treatments were recommended and initiated. Diagnostic Impressions and Outcomes Findings were consistent with a diagnosis of Mild Neurocognitive Disorder. His family denied neurobehavioral improvements post interventions. Discussion This case study is the first to characterize the long-term neuropsychological and neurobehavioral changes following bilateral GP lesions secondary to AMS. Declines in visual-conceptual abilities reveal a new finding for this type of cerebral incident.

scholarly journals E-mindfulness – the growing importance of facilitating tourists’ connections to the present moment

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uglješa Stankov ◽  
Viachaslau Filimonau ◽  
Ulrike Gretzel ◽  
Miroslav D. Vujičić
Keyword(s):  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Technology Applications ◽  
Consumer Perspectives ◽  
Tourism Service

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce e-mindfulness as a tourism trend. Mindfulness meditation is becoming increasingly mainstream, which is reflected in a rapidly growing number of related technology applications. Such technology-assisted mindfulness is typically referred to as e-mindfulness. The e-mindfulness trend creates opportunities for the tourism industry but also implies changed consumer perspectives on tourist experiences. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a general review of academic literature, news reports and online resources regarding the offerings of related technologies. Findings Implications of e-mindfulness for consumers, tourism service providers and designers of future tourism experiences are outlined. Originality/value This is the first paper to conceptualize e-mindfulness as a tourism trend.

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