Immersive VR vs. Auditory-Guided Mindfulness: An fMRI Investigation of Resting-State Brain Networks
Poster No:
2010
Submission Type:
Late-Breaking Abstract Submission
Authors:
Shivya Sharma1, Amrendra Singh1
Institutions:
1Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
First Author:
Co-Author:
Amrendra Singh, Dr.
Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad
Prayagraj, India
Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad
Prayagraj, India
Late Breaking Reviewer(s):
Introduction:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects 3.8% of the global population (WHO, 2023). Current treatments, including SSRIs and SNRIs, have limited efficacy, with 30% of patients classified as drug-resistant (Rush et al., 2006). Cognitive deficits in attention and executive function further hinder engagement in mindfulness-based therapies (Damen et al., 2018). This pilot fMRI study examines whether a brief 15-minute mindfulness intervention delivered via virtual reality (VR) enhances connectivity in key neural networks compared to auditory-guided meditation. Data were collected from healthy controls (n=12; 6 per group) using a pre-post design to assess differential effects of the two techniques. We focused on the frontoparietal network (FPN; attentional control), affective network (AN; emotional regulation), salience network (SN; stimulus integration), and default mode network (DMN; self-referential thinking). Preliminary results indicate that VR-based mindfulness significantly enhanced FPN, AN, and SN connectivity compared to auditory meditation, suggesting potential advantages for attentional and emotional regulation. Data collection for MDD patients is ongoing.
Methods:
Twelve healthy adults (ages 19–45, M = 21.7 years) were randomly assigned to either a Multisensory (VR-based) or Unisensory (auditory-based) mindfulness meditation group (n=6 per group). Participants completed pre- and post-intervention resting-state fMRI scans following a 15-minute guided session, with scripts standardized in duration and word count to ensure consistency. The VR environment was designed based on guidelines from Shu et al. (2022). ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity analysis was performed using the CONN toolbox (Whitfield-Gabrieli & Nieto-Castanon, 2012). Psychological metrics were also assessed to explore correlations with changes in connectivity.
Results:
Connectivity changes between pre- and post-intervention conditions are summarized in the Table 1 (attached)-
In the frontoparietal network (FPN), VR significantly enhanced connectivity between DLPFC (R) → PPC (R) and DLPFC (R) → PPC (L) (p-FDR < 0.05), while auditory meditation showed minimal effects.
For the affective network (AN), VR showed a trend towards increased hippocampus → mPFC connectivity, whereas auditory meditation decreased this connectivity.
In the salience network (SN), VR increased IFG → Anterior Insula connectivity significantly, while auditory meditation had smaller effects.
The default mode network (DMN) showed a slight decrease in PCC → mPFC connectivity in both groups.
In the frontoparietal network (FPN), VR significantly enhanced connectivity between DLPFC (R) → PPC (R) and DLPFC (R) → PPC (L) (p-FDR < 0.05), while auditory meditation showed minimal effects.
For the affective network (AN), VR showed a trend towards increased hippocampus → mPFC connectivity, whereas auditory meditation decreased this connectivity.
In the salience network (SN), VR increased IFG → Anterior Insula connectivity significantly, while auditory meditation had smaller effects.
The default mode network (DMN) showed a slight decrease in PCC → mPFC connectivity in both groups.
·Figure 1
·Table 1
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that VR-based mindfulness enhances connectivity in networks crucial for attentional and emotional regulation, often impaired in MDD. Increased FPN connectivity (DLPFC → PPC) with VR indicates improved attentional control, aiding engagement in cognitive therapies. Strengthened AN (hippocampus → mPFC) supports better emotional regulation, while increased SN (IFG → AInsula) connectivity suggests enhanced salience detection, helping shift attention from negative thoughts. Both interventions reduced DMN (PCC → mPFC) connectivity, potentially lowering maladaptive rumination. These results highlight VR mindfulness as a promising tool for targeting neural deficits in MDD, warranting further research on its long-term therapeutic effects in clinical populations.
Modeling and Analysis Methods:
Connectivity (eg. functional, effective, structural) 2
Novel Imaging Acquisition Methods:
BOLD fMRI
Perception, Attention and Motor Behavior:
Attention: Visual 1
Keywords:
Cognition
FUNCTIONAL MRI
MRI
Other - Virtual Reality, Mindfulness and Resting state fMRI
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
Abstract Information
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Healthy subjects only or patients (note that patient studies may also involve healthy subjects):
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Provide references using APA citation style.
Seabrook, E., Kelly, R., Foley, F., Theiler, S., Thomas, N., Wadley, G., & Nedeljkovic, M. (2020). Understanding how virtual reality can support mindfulness practice: Mixed methods study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(3), e16106. https://doi.org/10.2196/16106
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Taren, A. A., Gianaros, P. J., Greco, C. M., Lindsay, E. K., Fairgrieve, A., Brown, K. W., Rosen, R. K., Ferris, J. L., Julson, E., Marsland, A. L., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Mindfulness meditation training and executive control network resting state functional connectivity: A randomized controlled trial. Psychosomatic Medicine, 79(6), 674-683. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000466
-British Journal of Psychology. (2018). Immersion and the illusion of presence in virtual reality. British Journal of Psychology, 109(3), 431-433. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12312
Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., & Nieto-Castanon, A. (2012). Conn: A functional connectivity toolbox for correlated and anticorrelated brain networks. Brain Connectivity, 2(3), 125–141. https://doi.org/10.1089/brain.2012.0073
Rush, A. J., Trivedi, M. H., Wisniewski, S. R., Nierenberg, A. A., Stewart, J. W., Warden, D., Niederehe, G., Thase, M. E., Lavori, P. W., Lebowitz, B. D., McGrath, P. J., Rosenbaum, J. F., Sackeim, H. A., Kupfer, D. J., Luther, J., & Fava, M. (2006). Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. The American journal of psychiatry, 163(11), 1905–1917. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2006.163.11.1905