Resting state network functional connectivity and the five-facet mindfulness questionnaire

Abstract

Mindfulness has been described as an orientation of attention to the present moment, with openness and compassion. Individuals displaying high trait mindfulness exhibit this tendency as a more permanent personality attribute. The goal of this study was to gain insight on the neural substrates of trait mindfulness. Twenty-eight undergraduate students completed a measure of trait mindfulness, the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), before undergoing a structural and a seven-minute resting state functional MRI scan. Resting-state data were analyzed using independent-component analyses. Individual differences on FFMQ scores were related to individual differences in functional connectivity of eight resting state networks. We found that, 1) cognitive and sensory networks provide valuable information on the neural substrates of trait mindfulness; and 2) trait mindfulness associated with greater integration of neural regions related to bodily sensation. This study supports the notion that trait mindfulness is associated with functional areas related to cognition and sensation.