This secondary analysis examined neural correlates of meditation-induced changes in self-judgment (SJ), self-kindness (SK), rumination (RUM), and reflection (REF) in healthy adults who completed 8 weeks of MBSR (n=39) vs. an active control (Stress Management Education, n=25), using resting-state fMRI Amplitudes of Low Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF).
No significant group-by-time interaction was found for any trait measure. Within the MBSR group, improved self-kindness correlated with increased ALFF in the right DLPFC; reduced rumination and increased reflection each correlated (negatively and positively, respectively) with ALFF changes in the Temporal Parietal Junction (TPJ). The control group showed distinct neural patterns.
- Secondary analysis of an RCT not originally designed to test these specific neural-trait associations, limiting causal inference. - Small sample sizes (MBSR n=39, control n=25) reduce statistical power and generalizability. - Lack of significant group-by-time interactions means trait improvements cannot be confidently attributed to MBSR over the active control.
MBSR training improved all four self-related traits (SJ, SK, RUM, REF), while the active control only improved SJ and SK — suggesting MBSR has a broader effect on self-referential processes. Clinicians should note these findings are exploratory; replication in larger, prospectively designed trials is needed before drawing firm conclusions.
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