Electroencephalography microstates highlight specific mindfulness traits

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the spontaneous dynamics of large‐scale brain networks underlying mindfulness as a dispositional trait, through resting‐state electroencephalography (EEG) microstates analysis. Eighteen participants had attended a standardized mindfulness‐based stress reduction training (MBSR), and 18 matched waitlist individuals (CTRL) were recorded at rest while they were passively exposed to auditory stimuli. Participants' mindfulness traits were assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). To further explore the relationship between microstate dynamics at rest and mindfulness traits, participants were also asked to rate their experience according to five phenomenal dimensions. After training, MBSR participants showed a highly significant increase in FFMQ score, as well as higher observing and non‐reactivity FFMQ sub‐scores than CTRL participants. Microstate analysis revealed four classes of microstates (A–D) in global clustering across all subjects. The MBSR group showed lower duration, occurrence and coverage of microstate C than the control group. Moreover, these microstate C parameters were negatively correlated to non‐reactivity sub‐scores of FFMQ across participants, whereas the microstate A occurrence was negatively correlated to FFMQ total score. Further analysis of participants' self‐reports suggested that MBSR participants showed a better sensory‐affective integration of auditory interferences. In line with previous studies, our results suggest that temporal dynamics of microstate C underlie specifically the non‐reactivity trait of mindfulness. These findings encourage further research into microstates in the evaluation and monitoring of the impact of mindfulness‐based interventions on the mental health and well‐being of individuals.