Trait and state mindfulness modulate EEG microstates

Here, we aimed to characterized microstate dynamics induced by open-monitoring meditation (OM), which emphasizes a non-reactive stance toward lived experience, while participants were passively exposed to auditory stimuli. We recorded EEG signals from eighteen trained meditators before, during, and after an OM, that we compared to a matched control group at rest. To characterize brain state, we used a multidimensional-based analysis including source localization EEG microstates, phenomenological reports and personality trait questionnaires. We showed that microstate A was negatively correlated with mindfulness trait and decreased in frequency after OM compared to before in meditators. Microstate B was longer and was positively correlated to non-reactivity trait after OM in the meditator group. Microstate C was less frequent and shorter at rest before OM in meditators compared to non-meditators, and decreased in frequency after OM in meditators. Further, the occurrence of microstate C was negatively correlated to non-reactivity trait of meditators. Source localization analysis revealed that the mindfulness trait effect on microstate C at rest was explained by lower activity of the salience network (identified in the anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus and insula), while the mindfulness state effect relied on a strong contribution of (anterior and posterior) cerebellum during OM. While the decreased microstate A occurrence would be related to the mitigation of phonological aspect of thinking processes, the decrease of microstate C occurrence would represent an index of the cognitive defusion enabled by non-reactive monitoring underlying mindfulness meditation, for which the cerebellum appears to play a crucial role.

Individual Differences in the Change of Attentional Functions With Brief One-Time Focused Attention and Open Monitoring Meditations

Mindfulness meditation is increasingly used for clinical treatment and to improve well-being. One of the most fundamental benefits of mindfulness meditation is now considered as enhanced attentional control. Mindfulness meditation is a complex technique but most of its variants consist of a combination of two types of basic meditation practice: focused attention meditation (FAM) and open monitoring meditation (OMM). Although many studies have examined the effect of relatively long-term meditation on attention, some recent studies have focused on the effect of a brief one-time meditation on cognitive processing, including attentional functions. Furthermore, it is necessary to discuss the relationship between the effect of mindfulness meditation on attentional functions and personality traits (especially traits related to mindfulness). This study investigated whether attentional control is improved by a single 30-min FAM or OMM and whether the degree of improvement in attentional functions – alerting, orienting, and conflict monitoring – induced by the meditation varies according to the participant’s trait scores related to mindfulness measured by the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, i.e., FAM, OMM, and no-meditation (noM) groups, and given an Attentional Network Test before and after each 30-min meditation session. Compared with the noM group, there was no overall improvement in attentional functions with either type of meditation. However, there were associations between the change of the alerting function’s score and the personality traits: in the FAM group, alerting scores were negatively associated with the nonreactivity facet of the FFMQ, and in the OMM group, alerting scores were positively associated with describing facet scores of the FFMQ. The results indicate that the effects of meditation methods on attentional functions could depend on the individual’s traits related to mindfulness and that mindfulness meditation could sometimes appear to have no impact on attentional functions.

Overcoming Automaticity Through Meditation

Objectives Meditation practice has recently moved into applied research to improve cognitive functions. However, it is a multifaceted practice, with focused attention meditation relying on a sharp focus, and open monitoring meditation relying on a diffuse awareness. This study aims to assess the effects of differential alterations of cognition following distinct meditative training and focuses on practitioners’ tendency to fall victim to erroneous automaticity in responding when faced with cognitive conflict. Methods Seventy-three individuals were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups (internally focused attention meditation, externally focused attention meditation, open monitoring meditation) or a wait list control group. The meditation groups were trained over the course of 4 weeks and eight sessions. Changes in proneness to erroneous automatic responding were tested using two cognitive performance tasks that induce learned or instructed automaticity (Dot Pattern Expectancy paradigm, NEXT-paradigm). Results Overall, meditation training generally improved overcoming learned automaticity (rs = .26–.36, ps = .002–.031) but not instructed automaticity compared to the control condition. Furthermore, data suggest open monitoring outperformed focused attention in overcoming learned automaticity in one task (rs = .31–.56, ps ≤ .001–.009). Conclusions Our results provide evidence for meditative training to facilitate practitioners’ ability to select the most appropriate course of action against overlearned habits in light of the peculiarities of their current situation. Open monitoring meditation is a particularly promising avenue for reducing one’s liability to erroneous habits.

Neuroplasticity Within and between Functional Brain Networks in Mental Training Based on Long-Term Meditation

(1) The effects of intensive mental training based on meditation on the functional and structural organization of the human brain have been addressed by several neuroscientific studies. However, how large-scale connectivity patterns are affected by long-term practice of the main forms of meditation, Focused Attention (FA) and Open Monitoring (OM), as well as by aging, has not yet been elucidated. (2) Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and multivariate pattern analysis, we investigated the impact of meditation expertise and age on functional connectivity patterns in large-scale brain networks during different meditation styles in long-term meditators. (3) The results show that fMRI connectivity patterns in multiple key brain networks can differentially predict the meditation expertise and age of long-term meditators. Expertise-predictive patterns are differently affected by FA and OM, while age-predictive patterns are not influenced by the meditation form. The FA meditation connectivity pattern modulated by expertise included nodes and connections implicated in focusing, sustaining and monitoring attention, while OM patterns included nodes associated with cognitive control and emotion regulation. (4) The study highlights a long-term effect of meditation practice on multivariate patterns of functional brain connectivity and suggests that meditation expertise is associated with specific neuroplastic changes in connectivity patterns within and between multiple brain networks.

Differential Effects of Focused Attention and Open Monitoring Meditation on Autonomic Cardiac Modulation and Cortisol Secretion

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been used widely as a useful tool for the alleviation of various stress-related symptoms. However, the effects of MBIs on stress-related physiological activity have not yet been ascertained. MBIs primarily consist of focused-attention (FA) and open-monitoring (OM) meditation. Since differing effects of FA and OM meditation on brain activities and cognitive tasks have been mentioned, we hypothesized that FA and OM meditation have also differing effects on stress-related physiological activity. In this study, we examined the effects of FA and OM meditation on autonomic cardiac modulation and cortisol secretion. Forty-one healthy adults (aged 20–46 years) who were meditation novices experienced 30-min FA and OM meditation tasks by listening to instructions. During resting- and meditation-states, electrocardiogram transducers were attached to participants to measure the R-R interval, which were used to evaluate heart rate (HR) and perform heart rate variability (HRV) analyses. Saliva samples were obtained from participants pre- and post-meditation to measure salivary cortisol levels. Results showed that FA meditation induced a decrease in HR and an increase in the root mean square of successive differences (rMSDD). In contrast, OM meditation induced an increase in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) to rMSSD ratio (SDNN/rMSSD) and a decrease in salivary cortisol levels. These results suggest that FA meditation elevates physiological relaxation, whereas OM meditation elevates physiological arousal and reduces stress.

Just Open Your Mind? A Randomized, Controlled Study on the Effects of Meditation on Creativity

Creativity is a crucial prerequisite for innovation, successful problem solving, and self-expression, but how do we affect creative thinking in a positive way? The present study investigated the effects of open monitoring meditation (OMM) on creativity. We proposed that OMM will benefit creativity in metaphor production by cognitive flexibility (CF) enhancement. In the main study, participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: meditation, active, and passive controls. The first two groups performed an audio-guided task (real meditation or a narrative on house plants) for 2 weeks, and the third one had no task. Pre- and post-tests included measures of metaphor production, CF, state, sustained attention, attention shifting, and intelligence. We found no significant intra- or intergroup differences that would suggest OMM effects on creativity. Further, no links were found between measures of metaphor creativity and CF. Findings reveal potential challenges of using meditation as a cognitive enhancement tool. Methodological issues concerning meditation research, as well as creativity and CF measures, are discussed.

Session 6: Bringing Mindfulness to Our Relationships

In this session, we will take time to review your experiences of “falling down the hole”—having a sustained emotional reaction to something like a cognitive slip-up. This is connected to further cultivation of awareness as a way to track our experience without reacting to it. The discussion of reacting versus responding is broadened to incorporate our experiences with others, and how we communicate with others. We will then discuss different communication styles and for homework, you will be encouraged to track your use of these communication styles, as well as the tendency to respond versus react. Finally, you will continue with Open Monitoring practice and you are invited to track your mindfulness in daily life and to find ways of adding to your mental bank account.

Session 5: Reacting Versus Responding

In this session, a distinction is made between mindfulness (coming to the present moment) and awareness (what we find when we come to this moment). After a discussion of the prior week’s practices, participants are then introduced to Open Monitoring as a way to cultivate awareness and make space for our emotional reactivity. In this context, a discussion is raised about “falling down a hole”—when we have a sustained negative emotional reaction, for example, in response to a cognitive slip-up. Participants are assigned the practice “Emotional Weather” as a way to actively work with emotions. Walking meditation (“Aimless Wandering”) is also provided for home practice.

Session 5: Reacting Versus Responding

In this session, a distinction is made between mindfulness (coming to the present moment) and awareness (what we find when we come to this moment). After a discussion of the prior week’s practices, you will then be introduced to a new practice, “Open Monitoring,” as a way to cultivate awareness and make space for our emotional reactivity. In this context, we will talk about the idea of “falling down a hole”—when we have a sustained negative emotional reaction, for example, in response to a cognitive slip-up. For homework, you will be assigned the practice “Emotional Weather” as a way to actively work with emotions. Walking meditation (“Aimless Wandering”) is provided as a third home practice.