Lower trait frontal theta activity in mindfulness meditators.
Author: Tanaka GK1, Peressutti C1, Teixeira S1, Cagy M2, Piedade R1, Nardi AE3, Ribeiro P1, Velasques B1.
Affiliation:
1Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. 2Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. 3Panic & Respiration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Conference/Journal: Arq Neuropsiquiatr.
Date published: 2014 Sep
Other:
Volume ID: 72 , Issue ID: 9 , Pages: 687-93 , Word Count: 152
Abstract
Acute and long-term effects of mindfulness meditation on theta-band activity are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate frontal theta differences between long- and short-term mindfulness practitioners before, during, and after mindfulness meditation. Twenty participants were recruited, of which 10 were experienced Buddhist meditators. Despite an acute increase in the theta activity during meditation in both the groups, the meditators showed lower trait frontal theta activity. Therefore, we suggested that this finding is a neural correlate of the expert practitioners' ability to limit the processing of unnecessary information (e.g., discursive thought) and increase the awareness of the essential content of the present experience. In conclusion, acute changes in the theta band throughout meditation did not appear to be a specific correlate of mindfulness but were rather related to the concentration properties of the meditation. Notwithstanding, lower frontal theta activity appeared to be a trait of mindfulness practices.
PMID: 25252232
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