Integrated central and autonomic signatures of concentrative and analytical meditation in expert practitioners

Abstract

Meditation has long been associated with improvements in mental well-being, emotional regulation, and attentional control. However, the diversity of meditative techniques and variability in participant expertise across studies have hindered the systematic identification of their neurophysiological correlates. To address this challenge, we investigated the neurophysiological signatures of distinct meditation types in a relatively homogeneous cohort of 35 highly experienced Tibetan monk practitioners. We focused on concentrative meditation, characterized by sustained attention on a single object, and two analytical practices: Loving-Kindness, centered on cultivating prosocial affect, and Emptiness, involving reflective and deconstructive cognitive processes. EEG, ECG, EDA, and respiration were simultaneously recorded during these practices, which were performed in a fixed-order sequence (Concentrative → Loving-Kindness → Emptiness). Linear mixed-model analyses revealed significant modulations across conditions. Peripheral indices indicated enhanced parasympathetic activity (higher RMSSD and SDNN), reduced respiratory rate, and a progressive rise in tonic EDA across the entire three-phases meditation session. Cortically, EEG analyses showed changes in the gamma-band power during the meditation session. Overall, the pattern suggests that advanced meditative states involve coordinated autonomic–cortical integration, reflecting relaxed vigilance with improved emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility; nevertheless, given the fixed-order design, condition-related differences should be interpreted cautiously due to possible order or carryover effects.