Augmenting mindfulness training through neurofeedback: a pilot study of the pre-post changes on resting-state functional connectivity in typically developing adolescents.
Kelly T Cosgrove, Aki Tsuchiyagaito, Zsofia P Cohen, Gabe Cochran, Xiaoqian Yu, Masaya Misaki, Robin L Aupperle, Manpreet K Singh, Martin P Paulus, Namik Kirlic
Frontiers in neuroscience January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1397234
Summary
Mindfulness training can enhance mental health by influencing brain networks, particularly in adolescents. In a pilot study involving 31 participants (average age 14.77 years, 45% female), a neurofeedback augmented mindfulness task led to increased functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and areas like the left hippocampus and amygdala after training. Specifically, connectivity improved from a Fisher's Z of 0.16 to 0.26 post-task. These changes suggest that mindfulness practices may strengthen emotional and self-referential processing in young individuals.
Abstract
Mindfulness training has been shown to promote positive mental health outcomes and related changes in neural networks such as the default mode network, which has a central node in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Previous work from our group reported on the impact of a novel, neurofeedback augmented mindfulness training (NAMT) task on regulation of PCC hemodynamic activity in typically developing adolescents. The present pilot study aimed to expand on this finding by examining the pre-post changes of the NAMT task on resting-state functional connectivity of the PCC. Thirty-one typically developing adolescents (14.77 ± 1.23 years; 45% female) underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan both before and after completing the NAMT task. A linear mixed effects model was used to assess for changes in functional connectivity of the PCC across the two resting-state runs. Data did not support the hypothesized decrease in connectivity between the PCC seed and other DMN regions from pre- to post-NAMT task. However, we observed a significant increase in functional connectivity between the PCC and a cluster encompassing the left hippocampus and amygdala following completion of the NAMT task (run 1 Fisher's Z = 0.16; run 2 Fisher's Z = 0.26). Although preliminary, this finding suggests NAMT has the potential to strengthen connectivity between default mode and salience regions. We speculate that such changed connectivity may facilitate enhanced self-referential and emotional processing in adolescents. https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT04053582.