{"title":"Neural correlates of meditation-induced changes in self-related traits: a resting state fMRI study.","authors":"Diane Joss","doi":"10.1007/s12671-026-02885-9","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Meditation training can influence various self-related traits, such as self-judgment (SJ), self-kindness (SK), rumination (RUM) and reflection (REF), but little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. This study aimed to elucidate the neural correlates of <i>changes</i> in traits of SJ, SK, RUM, and REF in response to mindfulness meditation training.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Secondary data analyses were conducted on pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and resting state fMRI data collected in a prior mechanistic neuroimaging Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) that compared 8 weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR, n=39) to an active control program of Stress Management Education (SME) (n=25) among healthy adults. Voxelwise Amplitudes of Low Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) were calculated from resting state fMRI as a measurement of magnitudes of spontaneous brain activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Linear mixed effects model analyses found no significant group by time interaction effects with any of the outcome measures. The MBSR group had significant improvements in all four trait measures, whereas the control group only had significant improvements in SJ and SK (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Linear regression analyses were conducted to predict voxelwise ALFF changes (ΔALFF) using questionnaire score changes (Δ). Within the MBSR group, ΔSK was positively associated with ΔALFF at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), while ΔRUM and ΔREF respectively had negative and positive associations with ΔALFF in the Temporal Parietal Junction (TPJ). Different neural correlates were observed in the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that meditation training can influence self-related traits through adaptive changes in brain regions involved in executive functioning (DLPFC) and empathy (TPJ).</p><p><strong>Preregistration: </strong>The original RCT was registered as NCT01488422 at ClinicalTrials.gov, accessible at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01488422.</p>","PeriodicalId":18523,"journal":{"name":"Mindfulness","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1000,"publicationDate":"2026-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13268588/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Mindfulness","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-026-02885-9","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: Meditation training can influence various self-related traits, such as self-judgment (SJ), self-kindness (SK), rumination (RUM) and reflection (REF), but little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. This study aimed to elucidate the neural correlates of changes in traits of SJ, SK, RUM, and REF in response to mindfulness meditation training.
Method: Secondary data analyses were conducted on pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and resting state fMRI data collected in a prior mechanistic neuroimaging Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) that compared 8 weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR, n=39) to an active control program of Stress Management Education (SME) (n=25) among healthy adults. Voxelwise Amplitudes of Low Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) were calculated from resting state fMRI as a measurement of magnitudes of spontaneous brain activity.
Results: Linear mixed effects model analyses found no significant group by time interaction effects with any of the outcome measures. The MBSR group had significant improvements in all four trait measures, whereas the control group only had significant improvements in SJ and SK (p < 0.05). Linear regression analyses were conducted to predict voxelwise ALFF changes (ΔALFF) using questionnaire score changes (Δ). Within the MBSR group, ΔSK was positively associated with ΔALFF at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), while ΔRUM and ΔREF respectively had negative and positive associations with ΔALFF in the Temporal Parietal Junction (TPJ). Different neural correlates were observed in the control group.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that meditation training can influence self-related traits through adaptive changes in brain regions involved in executive functioning (DLPFC) and empathy (TPJ).
Preregistration: The original RCT was registered as NCT01488422 at ClinicalTrials.gov, accessible at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01488422.
期刊介绍:
Mindfulness seeks to advance research, clinical practice, and theory on mindfulness. It is interested in manuscripts from diverse viewpoints, including psychology, psychiatry, medicine, neurobiology, psychoneuroendocrinology, cognitive, behavioral, cultural, philosophy, spirituality, and wisdom traditions. Mindfulness encourages research submissions on the reliability and validity of assessment of mindfulness; clinical uses of mindfulness in psychological distress, psychiatric disorders, and medical conditions; alleviation of personal and societal suffering; the nature and foundations of mindfulness; mechanisms of action; and the use of mindfulness across cultures. The Journal also seeks to promote the use of mindfulness by publishing scholarly papers on the training of clinicians, institutional staff, teachers, parents, and industry personnel in mindful provision of services. Examples of topics include: Mindfulness-based psycho-educational interventions for children with learning, emotional, and behavioral disorders Treating depression and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure Yoga and mindfulness Cognitive-behavioral mindfulness group therapy interventions Mindfulnessness and emotional regulation difficulties in children Loving-kindness meditation to increase social connectedness Training for parents and children with ADHD Recovery from substance abuse Changing parents’ mindfulness Child management skills Treating childhood anxiety and depression