Efeitos ansiolíticos cerebrais das intervenções baseadas em Mindfulness: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety is characterized by a state of hypervigilance and apprehension in the face of the anticipation of a future threat. When persistent and disproportionate, it can take on a pathological character, compromising the functionality and well-being of the individual. Recent scientific evidence indicates that mindfulness meditation has beneficial effects on anxiety symptoms, acting on the modulation of neural circuits related to emotional regulation, attention, and fear control. Objective: To analyze, through a systematic review, the cerebral anxiolytic effects associated with the practice of mindfulness meditation in individuals with anxiety disorders. Methodology: The research was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, with searches performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and Embase databases. After screening and application of eligibility criteria, 10 studies were included. Results: The results pointed to a reduction in amygdala activity and an increase in functional connectivity in the right orbitofrontal cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, and prefrontal cortex regions, suggesting an improvement in emotional self-regulation mechanisms. Conclusion: It is concluded that mindfulness meditation presents complementary therapeutic potential in the management of anxiety disorders, contributing to the promotion of mental health and the reduction of psychological suffering.