Mapping Protocols and Evidence on Combined EEG Neurofeedback and Meditation: A Systematic Review

Background. The combination of meditation and EEG neurofeedback has gained attention as a nonpharmacological approach for emotion regulation, stress reduction, and cognitive enhancement. Methods. This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024554716) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, aimed to map methodologies, protocols, and evidence on these combined interventions. Experimental or quasi-experimental empirical studies involving human participants across ages and contexts, published between 2015 and 2025, were included. Searches across six databases yielded 356 records; 45 met eligibility criteria. Results. Studies showed substantial methodological heterogeneity, with a predominance of randomized clinical trials (44%) and within-subject designs (33%). Focused attention and mindfulness meditations and auditory feedback prevailed; wearable devices were used in 35 studies. Intervention dose varied widely, from 1 to 50+ sessions, ranging from 1.5 to 80 min long. Primary outcomes consistently showed reductions in stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, alongside gains in well-being, attention, and resilience. Neurophysiological findings included increases in alpha and theta power. Conclusions. Combining meditation with EEG neurofeedback is a promising strategy, but the lack of protocol standardization, small sample sizes, and limited blinding reduce evidence robustness. Future research with rigorous methodology is needed to establish clinical efficacy and guide interventions.