Analogic Meditation in the Context of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Psychoneurosomatic Rationale, Preliminary Evidence, and Proposal for a Research Program

Abstract

Analogic Meditation (AM) is a structured meditative practice that integrates symbolic visualization,ideoplastic suggestion, and body-mind work, developed by Alessandro Mahony withinan integrated psychoneurosomatic approach. To date, AM has not been the subject of clinicalstudies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). However, based on current neurobiologicalknowledge on meditation, hypnosis, motor imagery, and brain plasticity, AM presents a plausiblerationale as a psychophysiological support intervention and as a potential adjunct for assistivetechnologies such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).This article synthesizes the existing evidence relevant to AM in ALS, elucidates the hypotheticalbiological mechanisms—with particular attention to the HPA axis, neuroinflammatory modulation,and cortical plasticity—discusses limitations and risks, and proposes experimental protocolsto evaluate its psychological and neurophysiological benefits and, if present, effects on clinicalprogression. The synergy between hypnosis and motor imagery, documented in rehabilitationand chronic pain settings, constitutes the main scientific foundation to justify controlled pilotstudies on AM in ALS. Particular emphasis is placed on the potential improvement of motorimagery vividness and, consequently, on the performance of motor imagery-based BCIs. Theneed for ethical communication that clarifies the experimental and non-curative nature of theintervention is emphasized. The currently available literature on related interventions presentssignificant methodological limitations (small samples, heterogeneity, lack of longitudinal biomarkers),and no specific studies on AM exist; therefore, any claim regarding clinical or biologicaleffects remains hypothetical.