PMID: 

Mindfulness (N Y). 2018 Jun ;9(3):708-724. Epub 2017 Oct 23. PMID: 30100929

Abstract Title: 

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Meditation on Empathy, Compassion, and Prosocial Behaviors.

Abstract: 

Increased attention has focused on methods to increase empathy, compassion, and pro-social behavior. Meditation practices have traditionally been used to cultivate pro-social outcomes, and recently investigations have sought to evaluate their efficacy for these outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of meditation for pro-social emotions and behavior. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases (inception-April 2016) using the search terms: mindfulness, meditation, mind-body therapies, tai chi, yoga, MBSR, MBCT, empathy, compassion, love, altruism, sympathy, or kindness. Randomized controlled trials in any population were included (26 studies with 1,714 subjects). Most were conducted among healthy adults (=11) using compassion or loving kindness meditation (=18) over 8-12weeks (=12) in a group format (=17). Most control groups were wait-list or no-treatment (=15). Outcome measures included self-reported emotions (e.g., composite scores, validated measures) and observed behavioral outcomes (e.g., helping behavior in real-world and simulated settings). Many studies showed a low risk of bias. Results demonstrated small to medium effects of meditation on self-reported (SMD = .40,

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PMID: 

Front Behav Neurosci. 2018 ;12:298. Epub 2018 Dec 4. PMID: 30564108

Abstract Title: 

Atypical Anxiety-Related Amygdala Reactivity and Functional Connectivity in Sant Mat Meditation.

Abstract: 

While meditation has drawn much attention in cognitive neuroscience, the neural mechanisms underlying its emotional processing remains elusive. Sant Mat meditators were recruited, who adopt a loving-kindness mode of meditation along with a vegetarian diet and an alcohol-restricted lifestyle and novices. We assessed their State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and scanned their amygdala reactivity in response to an explicit and implicit (backward masked) perception of fearful and happy faces. In contrast with novices, meditators reported lower STAI scores. Meditators showed stronger amygdala reactivity to explicit happiness than to fear, whereas novices exhibited the opposite pattern. The amygdala reactivity was reduced in meditators regardless of implicit fear or happiness. Those who had more lifetime practice in meditation reported lower STAI and showed a weaker amygdala response to fear. Furthermore, the amygdala in meditators, relative to novices, had a stronger positive functional connectivity with the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) to explicit happiness, but a more negative connectivity with the insula and medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) to explicit fear. Mediation analysis indicated the amygdala reactivity as the mediator for the linkage between meditation experience and trait anxiety. The findings demonstrate the neural correlates that underpin the beneficial effects of meditation in Sant Mat. Long-term meditation could be functionally coupled with the amygdala reactivity to explicit and implicit emotional processing, which would help reduce anxiety and potentially enhance well-being.

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PMID: 

Prog Brain Res. 2019 ;244:207-232. Epub 2019 Jan 3. PMID: 30732838

Abstract Title: 

Toward a brain theory of meditation.

Abstract: 

The rapidly progressing science of meditation has led to insights about the neural correlates of focused attention meditation (FAM), open monitoring meditation (OMM), compassion meditation (CM) and loving kindness meditation (LKM), in terms of states and traits. However, a unified theoretical understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in meditation-related functions, including mindfulness, is lacking. After reviewing the main forms of meditation and their relationships, the major brain networks and brain states, as well as influential theoretical views of consciousness, we outline a Brain Theory of Meditation (BTM). BTM takes the lead from considerations about the roles of the major brain networks, i.e., the central executive, salience and default mode networks, and their interplay, in meditation, and from an essential energetic limitation of the human brain, such that only up to 1% of the neurons in the cortex can be concurrently activated. The development of the theory is also guided by our neuroscientific studies with the outstanding participation of Theravada Buddhist monks, with other relevant findings in literature. BTM suggests mechanisms for the different forms of meditation, with the down-regulation of brain network activities in FAM, the gating and tuning of network coupling in OMM, and state-related up-regulation effects in CM and LKM. The theory also advances a leftward asymmetry in top-down regulation, and an enhanced inter-hemispheric integration, in meditation states and traits, also with implications for a theoretical understanding of conscious access. Meditation thus provides a meta-function for an efficient brain/mind regulation, and a flexible allocation of highly limited and often constrained (e.g., by negative emotion and mind wandering) brain activity resources, which can be related to mindfulness. Finally, a series of experimental predictions is derived from the theory.

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PMID: 

J Trauma Stress. 2019 Apr ;32(2):299-309. Epub 2019 Mar 31. PMID: 30929283

Abstract Title: 

Compassion Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans: A Randomized Proof of Concept Study.

Abstract: 

There is considerable interest in developing complementary and integrative approaches for ameliorating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compassion meditation (CM) and loving-kindness meditation appear to offer benefits to individuals with PTSD, including symptom reduction. The present study was a pilot randomized controlled trial of CM for PTSD in veterans. The CM condition, an adaptation of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT®), consists of exercises to stabilize attention, develop present-moment awareness, and foster compassion. We compared CM to Veteran.calm (VC), which consists of psychoeducation about PTSD, rationale for relaxation, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene. Both conditions consist of 10 weekly 90-mingroup sessions with between-session practice assignments. A total of 28 veterans attended at least one session of the group intervention and completed pre- and posttreatment measures of PTSD severity and secondary outcomes as well as weekly measures of PTSD, depressive symptoms, and positive and negative emotions. Measures of treatment credibility, attendance, practice compliance, and satisfaction were administered to assess feasibility. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a more substantive reduction in PTSD symptoms in the CM condition than in the VC condition, between-group d= -0.85. Credibility, attendance, and satisfaction were similar across CM and VC conditions thus demonstrating the feasibility of CM and the appropriateness of VC as a comparison condition. The findings of this initial randomized pilot study provide rationale for future studies examining the efficacy and effectiveness of CM for veterans with PTSD.

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PMID: 

Integr Med (Encinitas). 2019 Apr ;18(2):36-41. PMID: 31341443

Abstract Title: 

The Effects of Meditation on Twin Hearts on P300 Values: A Repeated Measures Comparison of Nonmeditators and the Experienced.

Abstract: 

The Meditation on Twin Hearts (MTH) is a core meditation in both Pranic Healing and modern Arhatic Yoga practices. This guided meditation includes components of lovingkindness, open awareness, and self-healing imagery. The changes in peak latency and peak amplitude of P300 auditory event-related potentials were studied before and after listening to the MTH. Subjects were 12 nonmeditators compared with 12 meditators with at least 1000 h of experience with MTH. Between- and within-group comparisons were examined from electrode sites FZ, CZ, and PZ. When compared with nonmeditators at baseline, experienced meditators demonstrated a significantly shorter latency at sites FZ and CZ. Immediately following the MTH, inexperienced meditators showed significant increases in amplitude at sites FZ, CZ, and PZ, whereas experienced meditators showed no significant changes. All variables for both groups showed changes in the direction of more efficient cognitive processing immediately following the MTH. The present study supports the idea that a lovingkindness/compassion meditation results in immediate cognitive improvements in meditation naïve subjects. It also suggests that long-term meditation results in more pronounced and stable improvements.

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PMID: 

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 29 ;9(1):10977. Epub 2019 Jul 29. PMID: 31358842

Abstract Title: 

Alterations in Brain Structure and Amplitude of Low-frequency after 8 weeks of Mindfulness Meditation Training in Meditation-Naïve Subjects.

Abstract: 

Increasing neuroimaging evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation expertise is related to different functional and structural configurations of the default mode network (DMN), the salience network (SN) and the executive network at rest. However, longitudinal studies observing resting network plasticity effects in brains of novices who started to practice meditation are scarce and generally related to one dimension, such as structural or functional effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate structural and functional brain network changes (e.g. DMN) after 40 days of mindfulness meditation training in novices and set these in the context of potentially altered depression symptomatology and anxiety. We found overlapping structural and functional effects in precuneus, a posterior DMN region, where cortical thickness increased and low-frequency amplitudes (ALFF) decreased, while decreased ALFF in left precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex correlates with the reduction of (CES-D) depression scores. In conclusion, regional overlapping of structural and functional changes in precuneus may capture different components of the complex changes of mindfulness meditation training.

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PMID: 

J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Aug 2. Epub 2019 Aug 2. PMID: 31373827

Abstract Title: 

Effect of Healing Meditation on Weight Loss and Waist Circumference of Overweight and Obese Women: Randomized Blinded Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

To evaluate the effect of healing meditation on weight loss and waist circumference for women undergoing a standard weight loss treatment.We conducted a randomized, parallel-controlled, blinded clinical trial. Randomization was stratified by body mass index category and based on blocks of four.An outpatient clinic in Brazil.Women with overweight and obesity.For 8 weeks, in addition to the standard weight loss treatment, the intervention group underwent a healing meditation program, and the control group participated in a two round table just to observe the treatment compliance.The primary outcome was the percentage of weight loss, blindly assessed regarding the allocation group.Of 121 women interested in participating in the study, 55 were included and randomized, 27 for the intervention group and 28 for the control group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. After 8 weeks, the intervention group had the highest relative reduction to initial body weight (-2.9% [interquartile range {IQR} -4.4 to -1.6] vs. -0.7% [IQR -1.1 to -5.0], 

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PMID: 

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 Aug ;36:77-81. Epub 2019 Jun 12. PMID: 31383449

Abstract Title: 

Effect of anapanasati meditation on verbal aggression: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aggression is increasing in society, leading to health hazards. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of anapanasati meditation on verbal aggression in healthy individuals.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 140 participants were screened and 90 participants were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups, with 45 participants in each group. The Verbal Aggressiveness Scale (VAS) was used to assess the verbal aggression score, and anapanasati meditation was given as an intervention. The experimental group practiced anapanasati meditation every day for 6 months, and the control group did not receive any intervention.RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant reduction in VAS (p 

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PMID: 

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 May ;98(19):e15574. PMID: 31083232

Abstract Title: 

Brain education-based meditation for patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are chronic diseases, which generally require lifetime care. Meditation and yoga can be complementary to pharmacological therapies according to the scientific evidences so far. Brain education-based meditation (BEM) is a technique, which has been known to change brain structure, psychology, and physiology of healthy adult participants. This randomized, nonblinded pilot trial aimed to examine whether BEM affects the conditions of patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes compared with health education classes.METHODS: We randomly allocated 48 patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes to BEM (n = 24) or health education (n = 24) classes in the Ulsan Junggu Public Health Center in Korea, where the classes were run during the same period and explored the impact of 8-week practice on the serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Total RNA was extracted to examine inflammatory gene expressions from the whole blood using PAXgene blood RNA System. In addition, self-reports on mental/physical health were evaluated. The Student's t test, chi-squared test, and analysis of covariance were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: The number of people who participated until the completion of the study was 14 in the control and 21 in the BEM group. After 8 weeks, LDL cholesterol level was significantly decreased in the BEM group after the intervention (13.82 mg/dL reduction, P 

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PMID: 

Occup Environ Med. 2010 Dec ;67(12):861-6. Epub 2010 Aug 25. PMID: 20798018

Abstract Title: 

Use of mobile phones and changes in cognitive function in adolescents.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the impact of mobile phone exposure on cognitive function in adults. However, children and adolescents are of special interest due to their developing nervous systems.METHODS: Data were derived from the Australian Mobile Radiofrequency Phone Exposed Users' Study (MoRPhEUS) which comprised a baseline examination of year 7 students during 2005/2006 and a 1-year follow-up. Sociodemographic and exposure data were collected with a questionnaire. Cognitive functions were assessed with a computerised test battery and the Stroop Color-Word test.RESULTS: 236 students participated in both examinations. The proportion of mobile phone owners and the number of voice calls and short message services (SMS) per week increased from baseline to follow-up. Participants with more voice calls and SMS at baseline showed less reductions in response times over the 1-year period in various computerised tasks. Furthermore, those with increased voice calls and SMS exposure over the 1-year period showed changes in response time in a simple reaction and a working memory task. No associations were seen between mobile phone exposure and the Stroop test.CONCLUSIONS: We have observed that some changes in cognitive function, particularly in response time rather than accuracy, occurred with a latency period of 1 year and that some changes were associated with increased exposure. However, the increased exposure was mainly applied to those who had fewer voice calls and SMS at baseline, suggesting that these changes over time may relate to statistical regression to the mean, and not be the effect of mobile phone exposure.

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