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23-08-2023 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Neurophysiological Signatures of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Adults with Autism: Putative Mechanism of Anxiety Alleviation

Auteurs: Broc A. Pagni, Cole Williams, Gabrielle Abrams, Chris Blais, Gene Brewer, B. Blair Braden

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 9/2023

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Abstract

Objectives

Mindfulness-based therapies can reduce depression and anxiety in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms have yet to be fully characterized. While mindfulness-related improvements are theorized to be derived from alterations to resting-state networks—especially within the default mode network (DMN)—in other clinical populations, it is unclear if changes in DMN neurophysiology relate to symptom reduction in autistic adults.

Method

In this randomized controlled trial, 96 adults with ASD were assigned to either a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or a social support and relaxation education (SE) active control group. Resting-state electroencephalography recordings and self-report questionnaires assessing depression (BDI-2) and trait anxiety (STAI-2) were collected before and after the 8-week intervention to examine neurophysiological correlates of DMN activity—namely, gamma and high beta (beta-2) power across midline electrodes.

Results

Spectral power analysis of neurophysiological signatures of DMN activity from 62 participants (MBSR n=29; SE n=33) identified distinct MBSR-induced reductions in frontal and parietal gamma power and frontal beta-2 power relative to the SE group. Both MBSR and SE groups showed reductions in central beta-2 and gamma-band power, suggestive of an overlapping mechanism. MBSR-specific decreases in parietal gamma power were associated with alleviation of anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions

Findings suggest distinct neurophysiological correlates of mindfulness training implicating the DMN and point to a potential anxiolytic mechanism in adults with ASD.

Preregistration

NCT04017793
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Metagegevens
Titel
Neurophysiological Signatures of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Adults with Autism: Putative Mechanism of Anxiety Alleviation
Auteurs
Broc A. Pagni
Cole Williams
Gabrielle Abrams
Chris Blais
Gene Brewer
B. Blair Braden
Publicatiedatum
23-08-2023
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Mindfulness / Uitgave 9/2023
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02195-4