Enhanced electroencephalography effective connectivity in frontal low-gamma band correlates of emotional regulation after mindfulness training.
Hei-Yin Hydra NgChangwei W WuFeng-Ying HuangChih-Mao HuangChia-Fen HsuYi-Ping ChaoTzyy-Ping JungChun-Hsiang ChuangPublished in: Journal of neuroscience research (2023)
Practicing mindfulness, focusing attention on the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment with open and nonjudgement stance, can lead to the development of emotional regulation skills. Yet, the effective connectivity of brain regions during mindfulness has been largely unexplored. Studies have shown that mindfulness practice promotes functional connectivity in practitioners, potentially due to improved emotional regulation abilities and increased connectivity in the lateral prefrontal areas. To examine the changes in effective connectivity due to mindfulness training, we analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) signals taken before and after mindfulness training, focusing on training-related effective connectivity changes in the frontal area. The mindfulness training group participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program. The control group did not take part. Regardless of the specific mindfulness practice used, low-gamma band effective connectivity increased globally after the mindfulness training. High-beta band effective connectivity increased globally only during Breathing. Moreover, relatively higher outgoing effective connectivity strength was seen during Resting and Breathing and Body-scan. By analyzing the changes in outgoing and incoming connectivity edges, both F7 and F8 exhibited strong parietal connectivity during Resting and Breathing. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the changes in effective connectivity of the right lateral prefrontal area predicted mindfulness and emotional regulation abilities. These results partially support the theory that the lateral prefrontal areas have top-down modulatory control, as these areas have high outflow effective connectivity, implying that mindfulness training cultivates better emotional regulation.
Keyphrases
- resting state
- functional connectivity
- chronic pain
- white matter
- virtual reality
- primary care
- working memory
- healthcare
- minimally invasive
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- computed tomography
- clinical trial
- magnetic resonance imaging
- brain injury
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- heart rate variability
- transcranial magnetic stimulation