Effectiveness of meditation in the management of epilepsy: An updated mini systematic review of recent findings.
Moirangthem Joychand Singh, Sunil Singh Yadav, Sangeeth Somanadhapai, Massimiliano Buoli
Complementary therapies in medicine June 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103351 via PubMed
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by altered cortical excitability. The disorder is often associated with psychological distress and reduced quality of life. The purpose of the present review is to critically summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of meditation-based interventions for people with epilepsy. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published in English between January 2020 and May 2025. Five studies met the inclusion criteria (two randomized controlled trials, two open-label studies and one case report). Most studies reported significant improvements in depression, anxiety, concentration and quality of life following meditation interventions. Neurophysiological investigations demonstrated modulation of gamma power, beta burst duration, and interictal epileptiform discharges, suggesting a potential stabilizing effect on neural networks. However, evidence regarding seizure frequency reduction was inconsistent and generally not statistically significant. Meditation appears to be a promising adjunctive therapy for improving psychological well-being and potentially modulating cortical excitability in epilepsy. Future well-powered randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings and explore effects on seizure control.