
==== Front
bioRxiv
BIORXIV
bioRxiv
2692-8205
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

10.1101/2024.09.12.612669
preprint
1
Article
Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback: A Systematic Review of EEG and fMRI studies
Treves Isaac N. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7802-6145

Greene Keara D.
Bajwa Zia
Wool Emma
Kim Nayoung http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9519-8886

Bauer Clemens C.C. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3481-4438

Bloom Paul A. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3970-5721

Pagliaccio David http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1214-1965

Zhang Jiahe http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7520-074X

Whitfield-Gabrieli Susan
Auerbach Randy P. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2319-4744

15 9 2024
2024.09.12.612669https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
http://biorxiv.org/lookup/doi/10.1101/2024.09.12.612669
nihpp-2024.09.12.612669.pdf
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).
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pmc
