Does mindfulness meditation with neurofeedback modulate brain activity and improve mental health outcomes?
Mindfulness-based neurofeedback shows potential for modulating brain activity such as DMN and theta bands, but current evidence lacks adequate sham-controlled trials to confirm mental health benefits.
Neurofeedback concurrent with mindfulness meditation may reveal meditation effects on the brain and facilitate improved mental health outcomes. Here, we systematically reviewed electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of mindfulness meditation with neurofeedback (mbNF) and followed PRISMA guidelines. We identified 9 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, for example, 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).
Treves et al. (Mon,) studied this question.