Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory
Published on: May 11, 2020
A single case design to examine short-term intracranial EEG patterns during focused meditation
Dana Dharmakaya Colgan1, Tab Memmott1, Dan Klee1
1Departments of Neurology and Neurological Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd, United States.
Purpose:
This study used a multiple crossover ABAB single case design to examine intracranial EEG data during a breath awareness meditation and an active control task.
Results:
Visual analyses suggest that a brief breath awareness mediation was consistently associated with increased alpha power when compared to the active control. Less consistent effects were found with theta, beta, and high gamma activity. Nonparametric tests provided additional support for this finding.
Conclusions:
Acquiring intracranial EEG patterns during a meditative state may provide more insight into the physiology of meditation with less contamination of high-frequency muscle activity. While access to intracranial EEG during meditation is rarely available, single case design studies are considered adaptations of interrupted time-series designs and can provide an experimental evaluation of intervention effects.
Related Concept Videos
Factorial Design
Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies
Long-term Depression
Group Design
Fixed Action Patterns
Focusing of Light in the Eye

