Skin Conductance Feedback Meditation: Evaluation of a Novel Physiology-Assisted Meditation Style

Background: Mindfulness meditation (MM) can be regarded as a practice for calming the mind, while the focus on their breathing can help meditators maintain a state of mindful presence. We have developed and evaluated an alternative method for reaching conscious states of pure being without the aid of a focus of attention. Methods: Skin conductance feedback was provided in real-time during meditation sessions (SCFM) and the practicability of this novel approach was evaluated. 30 participants - 15 meditation experts and 15 non-meditators - attended 6 sessions of meditation over the course of 3 days; 4 SCFM and 2 ordinary MM sessions were conducted. Each session was evaluated with physiological measures and a feedback questionnaire assessing subjective changes in body-related, emotional, and mental self-perception. Results: On average, 78.3% of the participants felt more integrated and connected, 84.2% perceived themselves as more calm and balanced, and 50% felt vitalized after SCFM sessions, while only 5% or less felt more agitated or depressed after the sessions. SCFM was not significantly different from MM. The positive effect of SCFM correlated positively with mindfulness self-ratings. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that SCFM is a viable method for performing a satisfying and consciousness-expanding meditation session.