Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T10:18:33.022Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2009

A. Chiesa*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Italy
A. Serretti
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Italy
*
*Address for correspondence: A. Chiesa, M.D., Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale Carlo Pepoli 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy. (Email: [email protected])

Abstract

Background

Mindfulness meditation (MM) practices constitute an important group of meditative practices that have received growing attention. The aim of the present paper was to systematically review current evidence on the neurobiological changes and clinical benefits related to MM practice in psychiatric disorders, in physical illnesses and in healthy subjects.

Method

A literature search was undertaken using Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane collaboration database and references of retrieved articles. Controlled and cross-sectional studies with controls published in English up to November 2008 were included.

Results

Electroencephalographic (EEG) studies have revealed a significant increase in alpha and theta activity during meditation. Neuroimaging studies showed that MM practice activates the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and that long-term meditation practice is associated with an enhancement of cerebral areas related to attention. From a clinical viewpoint, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has shown efficacy for many psychiatric and physical conditions and also for healthy subjects, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is mainly efficacious in reducing relapses of depression in patients with three or more episodes, Zen meditation significantly reduces blood pressure and Vipassana meditation shows efficacy in reducing alcohol and substance abuse in prisoners. However, given the low-quality designs of current studies it is difficult to establish whether clinical outcomes are due to specific or non-specific effects of MM.

Discussion

Despite encouraging findings, several limitations affect current studies. Suggestions are given for future research based on better designed methodology and for future directions of investigation.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahir, DC (1999). Vipassana: A Universal Buddhist Meditation Technique. Sri Satguru Publications: New Delhi.Google Scholar
Allen, NB, Chambers, R, Knight, W (2006). Mindfulness-based psychotherapies: a review of conceptual foundations, empirical evidence and practical considerations. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 40, 285294.Google ScholarPubMed
Altman, K (2001). A brief therapy model to reduce stress by practicing breathing exercises, mindful meditation, and yoga stretching. Dissertation, Capella University, Minnesota, USA.Google Scholar
Astin, JA (1997). Stress reduction through mindfulness meditation. Effects on psychological symptomatology, sense of control, and spiritual experiences. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 66, 97106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baer, RA, Smith, GT, Allen, KB (2004). Assessment of mindfulness by self-report: the Kentucky inventory of mindfulness skills. Assessment 11, 191206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baer, RA, Smith, G, Lykins, E, Button, D, Krietemeyer, J, Sauer, S, Walsh, E, Duggan, J, Williams, J (2007). Construct validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in meditating and non-meditating samples. Assessment 15, 329342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baerentsen, KB, Hartvig, NV, Stodkilde-Jorgensen, H, Mammen, J (2001). Onset of meditation explored with fMRI. NeuroImage 13, 297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bangert, M, Altenmuller, EO (2003). Mapping perception to action in piano practice: a longitudinal DC-EEG study. BMC Neuroscience 4, 26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bao, S, Chang, EF, Woods, J, Merzenich, MM (2004). Temporal plasticity in the primary auditory cortex induced by operant perceptual learning. Nature Neuroscience 7, 974981.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barlow, JS (1985). Methods of analysis of nonstationary EEGs, with emphasis on segmentation techniques: a comparative review. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology 2, 267304.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barnhofer, T, Duggan, D, Crane, C, Hepburn, S, Fennell, MJ, Williams, JM (2007). Effects of meditation on frontal alpha-asymmetry in previously suicidal individuals. Neuroreport 18, 709712.Google Scholar
Basar, E, Schurmann, M, Basar-Eroglu, C, Karakas, S (1997). Alpha oscillations in brain functioning: an integrative theory. International Journal of Psychophysiology 26, 529.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bauer-Wu, S, Sullivan, AM, Rosenbaum, E, Ott, MJ, Powell, M, McLoughlin, M, Healey, MW (2008). Facing the challenges of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with mindfulness meditation: a pilot study. Integrative Cancer Therapies 7, 6269.Google Scholar
Becker, DE, Shapiro, D (1981). Physiological responses to clicks during Zen, Yoga, and TM meditation. Psychophysiology 18, 694699.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bedard, M, Felteau, M, Mazmanian, D, Fedyk, K, Klein, R, Richardson, J, Parkinson, W, Minthorn-Biggs, MB (2003). Pilot intervention of a mindfulness-based intervention to improve quality of life among individuals who sustained traumatic brain injuries. Disability and Rehabilitation 25, 722731.Google Scholar
Beddoe, AE, Murphy, SO (2004). Does mindfulness decrease stress and foster empathy among nursing students? Journal of Nursing Education 43, 305312.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bishop, SR (2002). What do we really know about mindfulness-based stress reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine 64, 7183.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bishop, SR, Lau, M, Shapiro, S (2004). Mindfulness: a proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology 11, 230241.Google Scholar
Bowen, S, Witkiewitz, K, Dillworth, TM, Chawla, N, Simpson, TL, Ostafin, BD, Larimer, ME, Blume, AW, Parks, GA, Marlatt, GA (2006). Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 20, 343347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bowen, S, Witkiewitz, K, Dillworth, TM, Marlatt, GA (2007). The role of thought suppression in the relationship between mindfulness meditation and alcohol use. Addictive Behaviors 32, 23242328.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brotto, LA, Basson, R, Luria, M (2008). A mindfulness-based group psychoeducational intervention targeting sexual arousal disorder in women. Journal of Sexual Medicine 5, 16461659.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brown, KW, Ryan, RM (2003). The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 84, 822848.Google Scholar
Bruce, A, Davies, B (2005). Mindfulness in hospice care: practicing meditation-in-action. Qualitative Health Research 10, 13291344.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buddhaghosa, B (1976). Vissuddhimagga (The Path of Purification). Shambala: Boulder, CO.Google Scholar
Cahn, BR, Polich, J (2006). Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psychological Bulletin 132, 180211.Google Scholar
Cahn, BR, Polich, J (2009). Meditation (Vipassana) and the P3a event-related brain potential. International Journal of Psychophysiology 72, 5160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cardaciotto, L, Herbert, JD, Forman, ME, Moitra, E, Farrow, V (2008). The assessment of present-moment awareness and acceptance: the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale. Assessment 15, 204223.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlson, LE, Speca, M, Faris, P, Patel, KD (2007). One year pre-post intervention follow-up of psychological, immune, endocrine and blood pressure outcomes of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in breast and prostate cancer oupatients. Brain Behaviour and Immunity 21, 10381049.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carlson, LE, Speca, M, Patel, KD, Goodey, E (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress, and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine 65, 571581.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlson, LE, Speca, M, Patel, KD, Goodey, E (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress and levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and melatonin in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychoneuroendocrinology 29, 448474.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlson, LE, Ursuliak, Z, Goodey, E, Angen, M, Speca, M (2001). The effects of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients: 6-month follow-up. Supportive Care in Cancer 9, 112123.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carmody, J, Crawford, S, Churchill, L (2006). A pilot study of mindfulness-based stress reduction for hot flashes. Menopause 13, 760769.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carmody, J, Reed, G, Kristeller, J, Merriam, P (2008). Mindfulness, spirituality, and health-related symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 64, 393403.Google Scholar
Carroll, D, Lange, B, Liehr, P, Raines, S, Marcus, MT (2008). Evaluating Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: analyzing stories of stress to formulate focus group questions. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing 22, 107109.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chambers, R, Allen, NB (2005). The effects of mindfulness meditation on psychological well-being and executive control of attention. Australian Journal of Psychology 57, 303322.Google Scholar
Chambers, R, Lo, BCY, Allen, NB (2008). The impact of intensive mindfulness training on attentional control, cognitive style and affect. Cognitive Therapy and Research 32, 303322.Google Scholar
Chiesa, A, Serretti, A (2009). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for stress management in healthy people: a review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 15, 593600.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coelho, HF, Canter, PH, Ernst, E (2007). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: evaluating current evidence and informing future research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 75, 10001005.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen-Katz, J, Wiley, S, Capuano, T (2005). The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on nurse stress and burnout: a qualitative and quantitative study. Holistic Nursing Practice 2, 2635.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coromaldi, E, Stadler, MA (2004). Long-sustained theta activity during deep meditation: a single case study with a Zen master. Internatinal Clinical Psychophysiology 54, 175176.Google Scholar
Coromaldi, E, Stadler, MA, Basar-Eroglu, C (2006). Correlation between EEG-oscillations during deep meditation: a study with a Zen master. International Journal of Psychophysiology 61, 367378.Google Scholar
Creswell, JD, Myers, HF, Cole, SW, Irwin, MR (2009). Mindfulness meditation training effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes in HIV-1 infected adults: a small randomized controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 29, 184188.Google Scholar
Cysarz, D, Bussing, A (2005). Cardiorespiratory synchronization during Zen meditation. European Journal of Applied Physiology 95, 8895.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davidson, RJ, Ekman, P, Saron, CD, Senulis, JA, Friesen, WV (1990). Approach-withdrawal and cerebral asymmetry: emotional expression and brain physiology. I. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 58, 330341.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davidson, RJ, Kabat-Zinn, J, Schumacher, J, Rosenkranz, M, Muller, D, Santorelli, SF, Urbanowski, F, Harrington, A, Bonus, K, Sheridan, JF (2003). Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine 65, 564570.Google Scholar
Davis, JM, Fleming, F, Bonus, K, Baker, TB (2007). A pilot study on mindfulness-based stress reduction for smokers. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 7, 2 (www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/7/2).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dobkin, PL (2007). Mindfulness-based stress reduction: what processes are at work? Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 14, 816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dunn, BR, Hartigan, JA, Mikulas, WL (1999). Concentration and mindfulness meditations: unique forms of consciousness? Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 24, 147165.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Edelman, D, Oddone, EZ, Liebowitz, RS, Yancy, WS Jr., Olsen, MK, Jeffreys, AS, Moon, SD, Harris, AC, Smith, LL, Quillian-Wolever, RE, Gaudet, TW (2006). A multidimensional integrative medicine intervention to improve cardiovascular risk. Journal of General Internal Medicine 21, 728734.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eisendrath, SJ, Delucchi, K, Bitner, R, Fenimore, P, Smit, M, McLane, M (2008). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treatment-resistant depression: a pilot study. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 77, 319320.Google Scholar
Emavardhana, T, Tori, CD (1997). Changes in self-concept, ego defense mechanisms and religiosity following seven-day Vipassana meditation retreats. Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion 36, 194206.Google Scholar
Evans, S, Ferrando, S, Findler, M, Stowell, C, Smart, C, Haglin, D (2008). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders 22, 716721.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Faber, PL, Lehmann, D, Gianotti, LR, Kaelin, M, Pascual-Marqui, RD (2004). Scalp and intracerebral (LORETA) theta and gamma EEG coherence in meditation. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Society for Neuronal Regulation, Winterthur, Switzerland, April 2004.Google Scholar
Farb, NAS, Segal, ZV, Mayberg, HS, Bean, J, McKeon, D, Fatima, Z, Anderson, AK (2007). Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self reference. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 2, 313322.Google Scholar
Finucane, A, Mercer, SW (2006). An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care. BMC Psychiatry 6, 14.Google Scholar
Gardner-Nix, J, Backman, S, Barbati, J, Grummitt, J (2008). Evaluating distance education of a mindfulness-based meditation programme for chronic pain management. Telemedicine for Chronic Pain Management 14, 8892.Google Scholar
Garland, SN, Carlson, LE, Cook, B, Lansdell, L, Speca, M (2007). A non-randomized comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and healing arts programs for facilitating post-traumatic growth and spirituality in cancer outpatients. Supportive Care in Cancer 15, 949961.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gillani, NB, Smith, JC (2001). Zen meditation and ABC relaxation theory: an exploration of relaxation states, beliefs, dispositions, and motivations. Journal of Clinical Psychology 57, 839846.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gross, CR, Kreitzer, MJ, Russas, V, Treesak, C, Frazier, PA, Hertz, MI (2004). Mindfulness meditation to reduce symptoms after organ transplant: a pilot study. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine 20, 2029.Google Scholar
Grossman, P, Niemann, L, Schmidt, S, Walach, H (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 57, 3543.Google Scholar
Grossman, P, Tiefenthaler-Gilmer, U, Raysz, A, Kesper, U (2007). Mindfulness training as an intervention for fibromyalgia: evidence of postintervention and 3-year follow-up benefits in well-being. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 76, 226233.Google Scholar
Hardt, JV (1994). Proficiency in Zen meditation: correspondences with multi-channel EEG coherence spectrum. International Journal of Psychophysiology 18, 112113.Google Scholar
Hayes, SC, Strosahl, KD, Wilson, KG (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experimental Approach to Behavior Change. Guilford Press: New York.Google Scholar
Heidenreich, T, Tuin, I, Pflug, B, Michal, M, Michalak, J (2006). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for persistent insomnia: a pilot study. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 75, 188189.Google Scholar
Holzel, BK, Ott, U, Gard, T, Hempel, H, Weygandt, M, Morgen, K, Vaitl, D (2008). Investigation of mindfulness meditation practitioners with voxel-based morphometry. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 3, 5561.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holzel, BK, Ott, U, Hempel, H, Hackl, A, Wolf, K, Stark, R, Vaitl, D (2007). Differential engagement of anterior cingulate and adjacent medial frontal cortex in adept meditators and non-meditators. Neuroscience Letters 421, 1621.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Horton-Deutsch, A, O'Haver Day, H, Haight, R, Babin-Nelson, M (2007). Enhancing mental health services to bone marrow transplant recipients through a mindfulness-based therapeutic intervention. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 13, 110115.Google Scholar
Jadad, AR, Moore, RA, Carroll, D (1996). Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: is blinding necessary? Controlled Clinical Trials 17, 112.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jain, S, Shapiro, SL, Swanick, S, Roesch, SC, Mills, PJ, Bell, I, Schwartz, GE (2007). A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 33, 1121.Google Scholar
Jha, AP, Krompinger, J, Baime, MJ (2007). Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience 7, 109119.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J (1982). An outpatients program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry 4, 3347.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kabat-Zinn, J (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Hyperion: New York.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Constructivism in the Human Sciences 8, 73107.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J, Lipworth, L, Burney, R (1985). The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 8, 163190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kabat-Zinn, J, Lipworth, L, Burney, R, Sellers, W (1987). Four-year follow-up of a meditation-based program for the self-regulation of chronic pain: treatment outcome and compliance. Clinical Journal of Pain 2, 159173.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J, Massion, AO, Kristeller, J, Peterson, LG, Fletcher, KE, Pbert, L, Lenderking, WR, Santorelli, SF (1992). Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry 149, 936943.Google ScholarPubMed
Kabat-Zinn, J, Watson, G, Batchelor, S, Claxton, G (2000). Indra's Net at Work: The Mainstreaming of Dharma Practice in Society. Samuel Weiser: York Beach, ME.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J, Wheeler, E, Light, T, Skillings, A, Scharf, MJ, Cropley, TG, Hosmer, D, Bernhard, J (1998). Influence of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention on rates of skin clearing in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis undergoing phototherapy (UBV) and photochemotherapy (PUVA). Psychosomatic Medicine 60, 625632.Google Scholar
Kaplan, KH, Goldenberg, DL, Galvin-Nadeau, M (1993). Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program on fibromyalgia. General Hospital Psychiatry 15, 284289.Google Scholar
Kasamatsu, A, Hirai, T (1966). An electroencephalographic study on the zen meditation (Zazen). Folia Psychiatrica et Neurologica Japonica 20, 315336.Google Scholar
Kenny, MA, Williams, JMG (2007). Treatment-resistant depressed patients show a good response to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Behavior and Research Therapy 45, 617625.Google Scholar
Kieviet-Stijnen, A, Visser, A, Garssen, B, Hudig, W (2008). Mindfulness-based stress reduction training for oncology patients: patients' appraisal and changes in well-being. Patient Education and Counseling 72, 436442.Google Scholar
Kim, DH, Moon, YS, Kim, HS, Jung, JS, Park, HM, Suh, HW, Kim, YH, Song, DK (2005). Effect of Zen meditation on serum nitric oxide activity and lipid peroxidation. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 29, 327331.Google Scholar
Kingston, J, Chadwick, P, Meron, D, Skinner, TC (2007). A pilot randomized control trial investigating the effect of mindfulness practice on pain tolerance, psychological well-being and physiological activity. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 62, 297300.Google Scholar
Klatt, MD, Buckworth, J, Malarkey, WB (2009). Effects of low-dose Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR-ld) on working adults. Health Education and Behavior 36, 601614.Google Scholar
Koszycki, D, Benger, M, Shlik, J, Bradwejn, J (2007). Randomized trial of a meditation-based stress reduction program and cognitive behavior therapy in generalized social anxiety disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy 45, 25182526.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kreitzer, MJ, Gross, CR, Ye, X, Russas, V, Treesak, C (2005). Longitudinal impact of mindfulness meditation on illness burden in solid-organ transplant recipients. Progress in Transplantation 15, 166172.Google Scholar
Kristeller, JL, Hallet, CB (1999). An exploratory study of a meditation-based intervention for binge eating disorder. Journal of Health and Psychology 4, 357363.Google Scholar
Kubota, Y, Sato, W, Toichi, M, Murai, T, Okada, T, Hayashi, A, Sengoku, A (2001). Frontal midline theta rhythm is correlated with cardiac autonomic activities during the performance of an attention demanding meditation procedure. Brain Research. Cognitive Brain Research 11, 281287.Google Scholar
Lazar, SW, Kerr, CE, Wasserman, RH, Gray, JR, Greve, DN, Treadway, MT, McGarvey, M, Quinn, BT, Dusek, JA, Benson, H, Rauch, SL, Moore, CI, Fischl, B (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. Neuroreport 16, 18931897.Google Scholar
Lazar, SW, Rosman, IS, Vangel, M, Rao, V, Dusek, H, Benson, H (2003). Functional brain imaging of mindfulness and mantra-based meditation. Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, New Orleans 8–12 November 2003.Google Scholar
Lehrer, P, Sasaki, Y, Saito, Y (1999). Zazen and cardiac variability. Psychosomatic Medicine 61, 812821.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Linehan, M (1993). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Guilford Press: New York.Google Scholar
Liou, CH, Hsieh, CW, Hsieh, CH, Chen, JH, Wang, CH, Lee, SC (2005). Studies of Chinese original quiet sitting by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Conference Proceedings: IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 5, 53175319.Google Scholar
Lo, PC, Huang, ML, Chang, KM (2003). EEG alpha blocking correlated with perception of inner light during Zen meditation. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 31, 629642.Google Scholar
Ma, SH, Teasdale, JD (2004). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: replication and exploration of differential relapse prevention effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 72, 3140.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Majumdar, M, Grossman, P, Dietz-Waschkowski, B, Kersig, S, Walach, H (2002). Does mindfulness meditation contribute to health? Outcome evaluation of a German sample. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 8, 719730.Google Scholar
Marlatt, GA, Kristeller, JL (1999). Integrating spirituality into treatment: resources for practitioners. In Mindfulness and Meditation (ed. Miller, W. R.), p 68. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Mason, O, Hargreaves, I (2001). A qualitative study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. British Journal of Medical Psychology 74, 197212.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McComb, RJJ, Tacon, A, Randolph, P, Caldera, Y (2004). A pilot study to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based stress-reduction and relaxation program on levels of stress hormones, physical functioning, and submaximal exercise responses. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 10, 819827.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Merzenich, MM, Decharms, RC (1996). Neural Representations, Experience and Change. MIT Press: Boston, MA.Google Scholar
Miller, JJ, Fletcher, K, Kabat-Zinn, J (1995). Three-year follow-up and clinical implications of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. General Hospital Psychiatry 17, 192200.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mills, N, Allen, J (2000). Mindfulness of movement as a coping strategy in multiple sclerosis. A pilot study. General Hospital Psychiatry 22, 425431.Google Scholar
Mizuno, K (1972). Essentials of Buddhism. Kosei Publishing Company: Tokyo.Google Scholar
Monti, DA (2002). Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy for Cancer Patients (www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00034970?order).Google Scholar
Moon, YS, Kim, DH, Song, DK (2005). Effect of Zen meditation on serum growth factors/citokines. European Neuropsychopharmacology 15, S621.Google Scholar
Morone, NE, Greco, CM, Weiner, DK (2008). Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: a randomized controlled pilot study. Pain 134, 310319.Google Scholar
Morrell, LK (1966). Some characteristics of stimulus-provoked alpha activity. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 21, 552561.Google Scholar
Murata, T, Koshino, Y, Omori, M (1994). Quantitative EEG study on Zen meditation (zaZen). Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology 48, 881890.Google Scholar
Murata, T, Takahashi, T, Hamada, T, Omori, M, Kosaka, H, Yoshida, H, Wada, Y (2004). Individual trait anxiety levels characterizing the properties of Zen meditation. Neuropsychobiology 50, 189194.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Niedermeyer, E (1997). Alpha rhythms as physiological and abnormal phenomena. International Journal of Psychophysiology 26, 3149.Google Scholar
Oman, D, Shapiro, SL, Thoresen, CE, Plante, TG, Flinders, T (2008). Meditation lowers stress and supports forgiveness among college students: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of American College Health 56, 569578.Google Scholar
Ospina, MB, Bond, K, Karkhaneh, M, Tjosvold, L, Vandermeer, B, Liang, Y, Bialy, L, Hooton, N, Buscemi, N, Dryden, DM, Klassen, TP (2007). Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, No. 155. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Rockville, MD.Google Scholar
Ostafin, BD, Chawla, N, Bowen, S, Dillworth, M, Witkiewitz, K, Marlatt, A (2006). Intensive mindfulness training and the reduction of psychological distress: a preliminary study. Cognitive and Behavioural Practice 13, 191197.Google Scholar
Pagnoni, G, Cekic, M (2007). Age effects on gray matter volume and attentional performance in Zen meditation. Neurobiology of Aging 28, 16231627.Google Scholar
Pagnoni, G, Cekic, M, Guo, Y (2008). ‘Thinking about not-thinking’: neural correlates of conceptual processing during Zen meditation. PLoS One 3, e3083.Google Scholar
Plews-Ogan, M, Owens, JE, Goodman, M, Wolfe, P, Schorling, J (2005). A pilot study evaluating mindfulness-based stress reduction and massage for the management of chronic pain. Journal of General Internal Medicine 20, 11361138.Google Scholar
Pradhan, EK, Baumgarten, M, Langenberg, P, Handwerger, B, Gilpin, AK, Magyari, T, Hochberg, MC, Berman, BM (2007). Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Arthritis and Rheumatism 57, 11341142.Google Scholar
Proulx, K (2003). Integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction. Holistic Nursing Practice 17, 201208.Google Scholar
Ramel, W, Goldin, PR, Carmona, PE, McQuaid, JR (2004). The effects of mindfulness meditation on cognitive processes and affect in patients with past depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research 28, 433455.Google Scholar
Ritskes, R, Ritskes-Hoitinga, M, Stodkilde-Jorgensen, H, Baerentsen, KB, Hartman, T (2003). MRI scanning during Zen meditation: the picture of enlightenment? Constructivism in the Human Sciences 8, 8990.Google Scholar
Robinson, FP, Mathews, HL, Witek-Janusek, L (2003). Psycho-endocrine-immune response to mindfulness-based stress reduction in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus: a quasiexperimental study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 9, 683694.Google Scholar
Rosenzweig, S, Reibel, DK, Greeson, JM, Brainard, GC, Hojat, M (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction lowers psychological distress in medical students. Teaching and Learning in Medicine 15, 8892.Google Scholar
Rosenzweig, S, Reibel, DK, Greeson, JM, Edman, JS, Jasser, SA, McMearty, KD, Goldstein, BJ (2007). Mindfulness-based stress reduction is associated with improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 13, 3638.Google Scholar
Roth, B, Creaser, T (1997). Mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction: experience with a bilingual inner-city program. Nurse Practitioner 22, 150152, 154, 157 passim.Google Scholar
Roth, B, Stanley, TW (2002). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and healthcare utilization in the inner city: preliminary findings. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 8, 6062, 64–66.Google Scholar
Sadlier, M, Stephens, SDG, Kennedy, V (2008). Tinnitus rehabilitation: a mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy approach. Journal of Laringology and Otology 122, 3137.Google Scholar
Saxe, GA, Hebert, JR, Carmody, JF, Kabat-Zinn, J, Rosenzweig, PH, Jarzobski, D, Reed, GW, Blute, RD (2001). Can diet in conjunction with stress reduction affect the rate of increase in prostate specific antigen after biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer? Journal of Urology 166, 22022207.Google Scholar
Sephton, SE, Salmon, P, Weissbecker, I, Ulmer, C, Floyd, A, Hoover, K, Studts, JL (2007). Mindfulness meditation alleviates depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia: results of a randomized clinical trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism 57, 7785.Google Scholar
Shapiro, S, Astin, J, Bishop, SR, Cordova, M (2005). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for health care professionals: results from a randomized trials. International Journal of Stress Management 12, 164176.Google Scholar
Shapiro, S, Brown, KW, Biegel, G (2007). Teaching self-care to care-givers: effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the mental health of therapists in training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology 1, 105115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shapiro, SL, Bootzin, RR, Figueredo, AJ, Lopez, AM, Schwartz, GE (2003). The efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction in the treatment of sleep disturbance in women with breast cancer: an exploratory study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 54, 8591.Google Scholar
Shapiro, SL, Schwartz, GE, Bonner, G (1998). Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on medical and premedical students. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 21, 581599.Google Scholar
Sibinga, EM, Stewart, M, Magyari, T, Welsh, CK, Hutton, N, Ellen, JM (2008). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for HIV-infected youth: a pilot study. Explore (New York, N.Y.) 4, 3637.Google Scholar
Simpson, TL, Kaysen, D, Bowen, S, MacPherson, LM (2007). PTSD symptoms, substance abuse and vipassana meditation among incarcerated individuals. Journal of Traumatic Stress 3, 239249.Google Scholar
Singh, NN, Lancioni, GE, Winton, AS, Singh, AN, Adkins, AD, Singh, J (2008). Clinical and benefit–cost outcomes of teaching a mindfulness-based procedure to adult offenders with intellectual disabilities. Behavior Modification 32, 622637.Google Scholar
Smith, A (2004). Clinical uses of mindfulness training for older people. Behavior and Cognitive Therapy 32, 423430.Google Scholar
Smith, A, Graham, L, Senthinathan, S (2007). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurring depression in older people: a qualitative study. Aging and Mental Health 11, 346357.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spahn, G, Lehman, N, Franken, U, Paul, A, Langhorst, J, Michelsen, A, Dobos, GJ (2003). Improvement of fatigue and role function of cancer patients after an outpatient integrative mind/body intervention. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies 8, 540.Google Scholar
Speca, M, Carlson, LE, Goodey, E, Angen, M (2000). A randomized, wait-list controlled clinical trial: the effect of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine 62, 613622.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stone, RA, DeLeo, J (1976). Psychotherapeutic control of hypertension. New England Journal of Medicine 294, 8084.Google Scholar
Tacon, A, Caldera, Y, Ronaghan, C (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in women with breast cancer. Families, Systems and Health 22, 193203.Google Scholar
Tacon, AM, Caldera, Y, Ronaghan, C (2005). Mindfulness, psychosocial factors and breast cancer. Journal of Cancer Pain and Symptom Palliation 1, 4553.Google Scholar
Takahashi, T, Murata, T, Hamada, T, Omori, M, Kosaka, H, Kikuchi, M, Yoshida, H, Wada, Y (2005). Changes in EEG and autonomic nervous activity during meditation and their association with personality traits. International Journal of Psychophysiology 55, 199207.Google Scholar
Teasdale, JD, Segal, Z, Williams, JM (1995). How does cognitive therapy prevent depressive relapse and why should attentional control (mindfulness) training help? Behaviour Research and Therapy 33, 2539.Google Scholar
Teasdale, JD, Segal, ZV, Williams, JMG, Ridgeway, VA, Soulsby, JM, Lau, MA (2000). Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 68, 615623.Google Scholar
Valentine, ER, Sweet, PLG (1999). Meditation and attention: a comparison of the effects of concentrative versus mindfulness meditation on sustained attention. Mental Health, Religion and Culture 2, 5970.Google Scholar
Vieten, C, Astin, J (2008). Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention during pregnancy on prenatal stress and mood: results of a pilot study. Archives of Women's Mental Health 11, 6774.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wells, GA, Shea, B, O'Connell, D (2005). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomised studies in meta-analysis. Ottawa Health Research Institute (www.ohri.ca/programs/clinical_epidemiology/oxford.htm).Google Scholar
Williams, JM, Teasdale, JD, Segal, ZV, Soulsby, J (2000). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduces overgeneral autobiographical memory in formerly depressed patients. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 109, 150155.Google Scholar
Williams, JMG, Alatiq, Y, Crane, C, Barnhofer, T, Fennell, MJ, Duggan, DS, Hepburn, S, Goodwin, GM (2008). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in bipolar disorder: between episode functioning. Journal of Affective Disorders 107, 275279.Google Scholar
Witek-Janusek, L, Kevin, A, Chroniak, KR, Chroniak, C, Durazo-Arvizu, R, Mathews, HL (2008). Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and copying in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity 22, 969981.Google Scholar
Würtzen, H, Elsass, P, Sumbundu, A, Flyger, H, Johansen, C (2008). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): preliminary results of an RCT of MBSR intervention among Danish women diagnosed with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology 17, 276277.Google Scholar
Yen, LL, Patrick, WC, Chie, WC (1996). Comparison of relaxation techniques, routine blood pressure measurements and self learning packages in hypertension control. Preventive Medicine 25, 339345.Google Scholar
Yook, K, Lee, SH, Ryu, M, Kim, KH, Choi, TK, Suh, SY, Kim, YW, Kim, B, Kim, MY, Kim, MJ (2008). Usefulness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating insomnia in patients with anxiety disorders: a pilot study. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 196, 501503.Google Scholar
Zautra, AJ, Davis, MC, Reich, JW, Nicassario, P, Tennen, H, Finan, P, Kratz, A, Parrish, B, Irwin, MR (2008). Comparison of cognitive behavioral and mindfulness meditation interventions on adaptation to rheumatoid arthritis for patients with and without history of recurrent depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76, 408421.Google Scholar
Zylowska, L, Ackerman, DL, Yang, MH, Futrell, JL, Horton, NL, Hale, TS, Pataki, C, Smalley, SL (2008). Mindfulness meditation training in adults and adolescents with ADHD: a feasibility study. Journal of Attention Disorders 11, 737746.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Chiesa supplementary material

Tables.pdf

Download Chiesa supplementary material(PDF)
PDF 69.6 KB