Interbrain connectivity during mindfulness and meditation: narrative review of hyperscanning research.

Interbrain synchrony—the alignment of brain activity between two or more people—increases during mindfulness and meditation practices, especially when partners share a goal or perform cooperative tasks. A review of seven studies found that synchrony in theta, alpha, delta, and gamma brainwave bands emerged across different protocols. Anterior theta synchrony appeared during cooperation after mindfulness induction; motor tasks with shared breathing and mirroring produced alpha, theta, and delta coherence in frontal regions; and gamma synchrony rose in socio-emotional exercises and among expert meditators practicing together. Lower-frequency coupling strengthened when breath focus was combined with a shared goal. The evidence suggests that interbrain synchrony varies with expertise, task type, and personality traits like agreeableness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Over the past century, research on meditation and mindfulness has aimed to characterize the behavioral phenomenology and the neurophysiology of the contemplative mind. In recent years, investigators have extended this work beyond single participants to dyads and larger groups using hyperscanning (the simultaneous recording of neural activity from two or more individuals). This narrative review synthesizes interbrain connectivity research and explores dyadic synchrony findings within mindfulness and meditation practices. Among the selected studies (n = 7), interbrain synchronization was observed across protocols and spectral bands in five studies. Anterior theta phase synchrony was evident during cooperation tasks following mindfulness induction. Motor coordination tasks with shared breathing and physical mirroring elicited alpha, theta, and delta coherence in frontal brain regions. Gamma synchrony increased in socio-emotional paradigms and among expert meditators practicing together. Dyadic coupling in lower-frequency spectral bands was potentiated when breath focus was combined with a shared goal. The evidence reviewed suggests that interbrain synchrony varies as a function of expertise, task heterogeneity, and personality traits such as agreeableness.