A longitudinal pilot study of prefrontal hemispheric α-asymmetry at pre, post and 6-months following an 8-week Mindfulness and Compassion Course
Laura Allen, Luke Sage, Elizabeth Sparkes and Andy Turner
Citation: Allen, L., Sage, L., Sparkes E., & Turner, A. (2022). A longitudinal pilot study of prefrontal hemispheric α-asymmetry at pre, post and 6-months following an 8-week Mindfulness and Compassion Course, European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 6, 9, 1-11. https://www.nationalwellbeingservice.org/volumes/volume-6-2022/volume-6-article-9/
Processing dates: Submitted 29 September 2021; Resubmitted: 28 April 2022; Accepted 10 May 2022; Published 1 September 2022
Abstract
Background: Neuroscientific research has identified the left hemisphere as specialising in processing positive affect and approach motivation, while in contrast the right hemisphere is linked to negative affect and avoidance of emotional stimulus (Davidson, 1993). Mindfulness aims to increase positive affect (Barnhofer et al., 2010). Research has shown left sided activation for both an 8-week MBSR (Davidson et al., 2003; Moynihan et al., 2013) and a 15-minute mindful breathing/ loving kindness meditation (Barnhofer et al., 2010).
Aims: The aim of this pilot study was to examine EEG (Electroencephalogram) measures to determine prefrontal hemispheric α-asymmetry during and after an 8-week mindfulness and compassion course at three time points (pre, post and 6-months after).
Methodology: Six participants (n = 4 females, n = 2 males; Mage group = 25-34 years old) participated in an 8-week mindfulness and compassion course through MindfulnessCIC. A 3×3 repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare frontal α-asymmetry (F3-F4, F7-F8, FP1-FP2) over three points (pre, post and six months later).
Results: Results indicated a pattern of change from right hemispheric activation to left hemispheric activation over the time points in all frontal electrode sites (F3-4, F7-F8, PF1-PF2), however the results were not statistically significant. The results also highlighted the biggest increase towards left hemispheric activation was from post to follow-up, and 6-months later.
Discussion: The pilot study provides an understanding of frontal hemispheric asymmetry trends during and following an 8-week mindfulness and compassion course. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research, limitations of design and future applications.
Keywords: mindfulness; compassion; EEG; neurological; brain hemispheres
Biographies
Laura Allen is with the School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Research, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1687-686X
Luke Sage is with the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2911-4218
Elizabeth Sparkes is with the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0220-7745
Andy Turner is with the School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Research, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
Coventry University, Coventry, UK
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6538-4242