Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Neuroplasticity: A Review of Network Connectivity in Healthy and Clinical Samples

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have received great attention in both healthy and clinical populations, with recent studies supplementing self-report and behavioural outcomes with neurobiological evidence. This paper reviewed the impact of MBIs on the neuroplasticity of healthy populations, and those with depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A literature search across Web of Science and PsycINFO was conducted, including studies published from inception to June 2024.

MBIs have been associated with neuroplasticity primarily in the default mode network, salience network, and central executive network in both clinical and non-clinical populations, evidenced by distinct changes in resting-state and task-based activity and functional connectivity. These changes correspond to improvements in emotion regulation, bodily awareness, attentional control, and executive function, which are often consistent with self-report measures.

These findings suggest a promising multifaceted psychotherapeutic approach to improving the wellbeing of healthy individuals as well as mitigating psychopathology. Though neural signatures of MBIs are emerging, further studies examining mindfulness are needed to validate the precise neurobiological mechanisms with improved methodological rigour.

This study is not preregistered.