The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on frontal α-asymmetry in recurrently depressed patients (original) (raw)
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Biological Psychology, 2011
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), a meditation-based maintenance therapy, reduces the relapse risk in individuals suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). However, only a few studies investigated the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying this protective effect. We examined effects of MBCT on trait rumination and mindfulness, as indicators of global cognitive style, as well as on residual depressive symptoms in a group of recurrently depressed patients (n = 78) in remission. Additionally, alpha asymmetry in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) was assessed. Alpha asymmetry has been found to be predictive of affective style and a pattern indicative of stronger relative right-hemispheric anterior cortical activity may represent a trait marker for the vulnerability to develop MDD.
Effects of meditation on frontal [alpha]-asymmetry in previously suicidal individuals
Neuroreport, 2007
This study investigated the e¡ects of a meditation-based treatment for preventing relapse to depression, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), on prefrontal a-asymmetry in resting electroencephalogram (EEG), a biological indicator of a¡ective style.Twenty-two individuals with a previous history of suicidal depression were randomly assigned to either MBCT (N¼10) or treatment-as-usual (TAU, N¼12). Resting electroencephalogram was measured before and after an 8 -week course of treatment. TheTAU group showed a signi¢cant deterioration toward decreased relative left-frontal activation, indexing decreases in positive a¡ective style, while there was no signi¢cant change in the MBCT group. The ¢ndings suggest that MBCT can help individuals at high risk for suicidal depression to retain a balanced pattern of baseline emotion-related brain activation. NeuroReport 18:709^712
The time-course of EEG alpha power changes in creative ideation
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2014
Increases in EEG alpha power during creative ideation are among the most consistent findings in the neuroscientific study of creativity, but existing studies did not focus on time-related changes of EEG alpha activity patterns during the process of creative ideation so far. Since several cognitive processes are involved in the generation of creative ideas, different EEG correlates may result as a function of time. In this study we addressed this crucial point. Forty-five participants worked on the "Alternative Uses Task" while the EEG was recorded and changes in task-related power (relative to rest) in the upper-frequency band (10-12 Hz) for three isochronous time intervals of the idea generation period were determined. Alpha power changes during idea generation followed a characteristic time course: we found a general increase of alpha power at the beginning of idea generation that was followed by a decrease and finally by a re-increase of alpha prior to responding that was most pronounced at parietal and temporal sites of the right hemisphere. Additionally, the production of more original ideas was accompanied by increasing hemispheric asymmetry (more alpha in the right than left hemisphere) with increasing duration of the idea generation period. The observed time course of brain activity may reflect the progression of different but well-known stages in the idea generation process: that is the initial retrieval of common and old ideas followed by the actual generation of novel and more creative ideas by overcoming typical responses through processes of mental simulation and imagination.
Mindfulness, 2010
We investigated state effects of two forms of meditation on electroencephalography prefrontal α-asymmetry, a global indicator of approach versus withdrawal motivation and related affective state. A clinical series of previously depressed individuals were guided to practice either mindfulness breathing meditation (N=8) or a form of meditation directly aimed at cultivating positive affect, loving kindness or metta meditation (N=7). Prefrontal asymmetry was assessed directly before and after the 15-min meditation period. Results showed changes in asymmetry towards stronger relative left prefrontal activation, i.e., stronger approach tendencies, regardless of condition. Further explorations of these findings suggested that responses were moderated by participants’ tendencies to engage in ruminative brooding. Individuals high in brooding tended to respond to breathing meditation but not loving kindness meditation, while those low in brooding showed the opposite pattern. Comparisons with an additionally recruited “rest” group provided evidence suggesting that changes seen were not simply attributable to habituation. The results indicate that both forms of meditation practice can have beneficial state effects on prefrontal α-asymmetry and point towards differential indications for offering them in the treatment of previously depressed patients.
Sensitivity of EEG upper alpha activity to cognitive and affective creativity interventions
International Journal of Psychophysiology, 2011
We investigated whether creative cognition can be improved by means of cognitive and affective stimulation and whether these interventions are associated with changes of EEG alpha activity. Participants were required to generate original uses of conventional objects (Alternative Uses task, AU) while the EEG was recorded. In the cognitive stimulation condition, participants worked on the AU task subsequent to the exposure to other people's ideas. In the affective stimulation condition, they had to think creatively in positive affective states, induced via emotionally contagious sound clips. Creative cognition generally elicited alpha synchronization, most prominent in the prefrontal cortex and in the right hemisphere. The interventions were associated with stronger prefrontal alpha activity in the upper alpha band (10-12 Hz) than the control condition (no intervention), possibly indicating a state of heightened internal awareness, which might have a beneficial impact on creativity.
2010
Physiological measurements may be a promising addition to traditional clinical depression assessments if clinical validity can be demonstrated. We aimed 1.) To examine the relationships between EEG measures (frontal alpha asymmetry, FAA; and frontal midline theta, FM theta) and psychiatric test; 2.) to explore whether changes in those measures were congruent with clinical case descriptions by the attending music therapists. 79 adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder were included in this study Resting EEG and psychiatric tests (MADRS; HADS-A) were administered at intake and after 3 months. FAA was calculated at three electrode pairs (Fp1-Fp2, F3-F4, F7-F8), and FM theta (F3/4, Fz). EEG was transformed into z-scores (compared to a normative EEG database). Correlations between EEG and psychiatric tests were examined statistically. Psychometric properties of FAA and FM theta were also explored. Therapy processes of selected cases were analysed narratively and compared to the observed changes on EEG and clinical assessments. FAA on F7-F8 electrodes at intake was significantly related to anxiety (r = .29, p < .05; z-scores: r = .33, p < .01) but not to depression level. No significant correlation was found between FM theta and psychiatric tests. Z-scores of FAA were within the normal range, whereas z-scores of FM theta were higher than in the age-matched normal population. Test-retest reliability at 3 months was good for most measures. Comparisons of EEG and psychiatric measures with narratives of three selected cases yielded mixed results. FAA and FM theta demonstrate some potential as biomarkers in music therapy studies.
EEG Alpha Asymmetry, Depression, and Cognitive Functioning
Cognition & Emotion, 1998
has proposed that hemispheric asymmetry in prefrontal activation, as measured by electroencephalographic (EEG) power in the alpha band (8± 13Hz), is related to reactivity to affectively valenced stimuli. Davidson has proposed further that asymmetry is a stable trait, and that left frontal hypoactivation is a stable marker of vulnerability to depression.In Study 1, we tested Davidson' s formulations by examining differences in frontal EEG alpha asymmetry among currently depressed, previously depressed, and never depressed subjects. As expected, currently and previously depressed subjects showed left frontal hypoactivation relative to never depressed controls, but did not differ signi® cantly from each other. In Study 2, we explored the associations among frontal EEG asymmetry, response to a negative mood induction procedure, endorsement of dysfunctional cognitions, and attentional processing of valenced stimuli. Contrary to predictions,frontal EEG asymmetry was unrelated to mood reactivity and cognitive functioning. Theoretical and methodological implications of these ® ndings are discussed. for their assistanc e and constructive comments during various phases of this project, and Richard J. Davidson and an anonymous reviewer for their helpful suggestions on an earlie r version of this manuscript.
Psychological science, 2011
Meditation training changes the brain. Recent reports suggest that 70 or more hours of standardized training in mindfulness meditation across 8 weeks shifts electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry toward a pattern associated with positive emotion and increases gray matter in the left hippocampus . Such training is dwarfed by the 10,000 or more hours accumulated by expert Buddhist practitioners , but it likely represents a daunting commitment to many people. We examined whether frontal EEG asymmetry could be generated by a more accessible amount of meditation training.
Neuroscience Letters, 2001
EEG spectral power and coherence estimates in the individually de®ned delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, and alpha-3 bands were used to identify and characterize brain regions involved in meditative states, in which focused internalized attention gives rise to emotionally positive`blissful' experience. Blissful state was accompanied by increased anterior frontal and midline theta synchronization as well as enhanced theta long-distant connectivity between prefrontal and posterior association cortex with distinct`center of gravity' in the left prefrontal region (AF3 site). Subjective scores of emotional experience signi®cantly correlated with theta, whereas scores of internalized attention with both theta and alpha lower synchronization. Our results propose selective associations of theta and alpha oscillating networks activity with states of internalized attention and positive emotional experience.
A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations
Mindfulness meditation has been purported to be a beneficial practice for wellbeing. It would therefore be expected that the neurophysiology of mindfulness would reflect this impact on wellbeing. However, investigations of the effect of mindfulness have generated mixed reports of increases, decreases, as well as no differences in EEG oscillations in comparison with a resting state and a variety of tasks. We have performed systematic review of EEG studies of mindfulness meditation in order to determine any common effects and to identify factors which may impact on the effects. Databases were reviewed from 1966 to August 2015. Eligibility criteria included empirical quantitative analyses of mindfulness meditation practice and EEG measurements acquired in relation to practice. A total of 56 papers met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review, consisting of a total 1,715 subjects: 1,358 healthy individuals and 357 individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. Studies were principally examined for power outcomes in each bandwidth, in particular the power differentials between mindfulness and the control state, as well as outcomes relating to hemispheric asymmetry and event-related potentials. The systematic review revealed that mindfulness was most commonly associated with enhanced alpha and theta power as compared to an eyes closed resting state, although such outcomes were not uniformly reported. No consistent patterns were observed with respect to beta, delta and gamma bandwidths. In summary, mindfulness is associated with increased alpha and theta power in both healthy individuals and in patient groups. This co-presence of elevated alpha and theta may signify a state of relaxed alertness which is conducive to mental health.