Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback: A Systematic Review of EEG and fMRI studies.
Isaac N Treves, Keara D Greene, Zia Bajwa, Emma Wool, Nayoung Kim, Clemens C C Bauer, Paul A Bloom, David Pagliaccio, Jiahe Zhang, Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, Randy P Auerbach
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology September 15, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.12.612669 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review of EEG and fMRI studies combining mindfulness meditation with neurofeedback found that fMRI studies primarily aimed to downregulate the default-mode network (DMN). Although decreases in DMN activations were observed during neurofeedback, there is a lack of evidence for transfer effects, and most studies lacked adequate controls such as sham neurofeedback, so DMN decreases may be confounded by general task-related deactivation. EEG studies most robustly supported modulation of theta band activity. Both EEG and fMRI mindfulness-based neurofeedback have been implemented with high fidelity in clinical populations, but mental health benefits have not been established. The review recommends sham-controlled RCTs and clear reporting using CRED-NF guidelines.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 419 |
| Population | Participants in EEG and fMRI studies of mindfulness meditation with neurofeedback |
| Topics | Default mode network Meditation |
| Keywords | EEG Neurofeedback FMRI |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | There is a lack of evidence for transfer effects of DMN downregulation during mindfulness-based neurofeedback, and mental health benefits have not been established. |
Abstract
Neurofeedback concurrent with mindfulness meditation may reveal meditation effects on the brain and facilitate improved mental health outcomes. Here, we systematically reviewed EEG and fMRI studies of mindfulness meditation with neurofeedback (mbNF) and followed PRISMA guidelines. We identified 10 fMRI reports, consisting of 177 unique participants, and 9 EEG reports, consisting of 242 participants. Studies of fMRI focused primarily on downregulating the default-mode network (DMN). Although studies found decreases in DMN activations during neurofeedback, there is a lack of evidence for transfer effects, and the majority of studies did not employ adequate controls, e.g. sham neurofeedback. Accordingly, DMN decreases may have been confounded by general task-related deactivation. EEG studies typically examined alpha, gamma, and theta frequency bands, with the most robust evidence supporting the modulation of theta band activity. Both EEG and fMRI mbNF have been implemented with high fidelity in clinical populations. However, the mental health benefits of mbNF have not been established. In general, mbNF studies would benefit from sham-controlled RCTs, as well as clear reporting (e.g. CRED-NF).