A breath-awareness meditation intervention adapted from Ānāpānasati increased alpha brain oscillations in adolescent novice meditators, indicating relaxation. Beta power in occipital and midline default mode network regions during breath counting and focus stages was positively associated with breath count, suggesting enhanced visual and cognitive processing. Self-reported blissfulness during counting correlated with enhanced state mindfulness and showed a negative association with theory of mind. State mindfulness correlated with increased frontal alpha activity, while theory of mind negatively predicted frontal alpha power. Exploratory analysis indicated females showed greater frontal beta activity and state mindfulness. The findings suggest an inverse relationship between inward-focused mindfulness and outward-directed social cognitive states in adolescents.
A three-stage breath meditation based on Ānāpānasati increased alpha power across all stages in novice meditators, indicating relaxation. Theta and delta power rose during breath counting and breath focus in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting enhanced working memory and focused attention. Gamma power in meditation-related brain regions and occipital beta oscillations correlated positively with breath counts, reflecting improved visual and attentional concentration. Lower pre-meditative arousal and smaller in-meditation cognitive workload were linked to fewer distractions and greater confidence accuracy during breath counting. The findings suggest breath counting can improve present-centric control and concentration.