Investigating gamma power as a neural marker of mindfulness-related change

Abstract

Background: Mindfulness training has been shown to influence both psychological well-being and brain function. Neurophysiological studies using electroencephalography (EEG) have found that mindfulness practice can alter brain oscillations, particularly within frequency bands linked to attention, awareness, and emotional regulation. Despite growing evidence that mindfulness affects brain dynamics, the specific impact of mindfulness training on resting-state gamma activity and how such changes relate to psychological outcomes and facets of mindfulness remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the neurophysiological effects of mindfulness training, with a focus on gamma-band EEG activity and its association with psychological functioning.

Method: This study used a longitudinal design with two groups (mindfulness training vs control). Resting-state EEG and self-report measures; Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) was collected at baseline (T1) and after a 6-week training period (T2). The primary focus was on gamma-band activity across five brain regions, (frontal, frontocentral, temporal, centroparietal, and occipitoparietal) and their relationship with mindfulness outcomes.

Results: At T2, gamma power in frontal regions negatively correlated with the “Acting with Awareness” facet of mindfulness. Regression analyses showed that EEG activity, particularly Left Frontal Lower Gamma at T2 predicted mindfulness scores, explaining an additional 47.2% of the variance beyond baseline levels. Higher gamma power was associated with lower self-reported awareness, suggesting mindfulness training reduced neural activation in regions linked to automatic processing. These effects were not present in the control group.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that mindfulness practice is associated with changes in gamma-band neural oscillations, which may reflect enhanced attentional control and reduced cognitive interference, key mechanisms underlying mental health resilience. By identifying gamma-band EEG markers predictive of mindfulness improvements, this study provides a foundation for developing personalized, brain-informed interventions that can be integrated into clinical settings to support stress reduction, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being.