EEG changes induced by meditative practices: State and trait effects in healthy subjects and in patients with epilepsy.
Revue neurologique April 1, 2024 I Merlet, M Guillery, L Weyl et al. 9 citations
Meditation affects brain activity both during practice (state effects) and as lasting changes in resting-state (trait effects). This review focuses on EEG changes in healthy subjects with or without meditation experience, covering baseline rhythms, functional connectivity, and nonlinear parameters, and discusses their feasibility for clinical applications. The article also reviews studies using standardized meditation programs—including mindfulness, loving-kindness, and compassion—as complementary therapy for epilepsy patients, who often experience anxiety and depression. These studies examine effects on psychological functioning and seizure occurrence. Preliminary results from an ongoing study quantifying the effects of mindfulness self-compassion practice on interictal and ictal epileptic activity are presented, along with feasibility, difficulties, and prospects.