Dispositional mindfulness and self-referential neural activity during the resting state

ABSTRACT

Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to impact a broad range of outcomes including enhanced attention, memory, and self-regulation. Previously, mindfulness training has been negatively correlated with brain activity across the default mode network nodes following mindfulness-based practice. Currently, little research has been done to understand the neural basis of differences in mindfulness levels in untrained individuals. In this study, we explored the relationship between the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fractional ALFF (fALFF) during the resting state and the level of dispositional mindfulness, which was measured by using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The results showed that the total scores on the FFMQ were negatively correlated with the spontaneous activation of left premotor cortex. This indicates that individuals with higher levels of dispositional mindfulness might require less effort to control their irrelevant motor responses.

KEYWORDS:

• ALFF
• fALFF
• dispositional mindfulness
• resting-state fMRI
• self-processing

Highlights

• ALFF was used to explore the neural basis of mindfulness in untrained individuals.

• Mindfulness was negatively correlated with ALFF in left premotor cortex.

• Individuals with higher dispositional mindfulness levels may require less effort to control their irrelevant motor response.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.cn) for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I receive funding from Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and I have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising.

Data availability

The datasets generated for this study are available from the corresponding author on request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children Open key fund project [grant number TJ202002] and the Zhanjiang city primary and secondary education science “13th Five-Year Plan” project [2019ZJYB118]. The sponsor played no role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.