Investigación
La investigación en neuroestética y neurociencia cognitiva nos permite comprender cómo el cerebro procesa y responde a las experiencias estéticas y emocionales. A través de estudios rigurosos que combinan neuroimagen, análisis conductual y metodologías experimentales, exploramos los mecanismos neuronales subyacentes a la percepción artística, la creatividad y las respuestas emocionales. Nuestro trabajo contribuye al conocimiento científico sobre cómo el arte y la belleza afectan al cerebro humano, y cómo estas experiencias pueden influir en nuestro bienestar psicológico.
A continuación, encontrarás mis publicaciones más recientes en revistas científicas internacionales de alto impacto.
A preliminary study on the effectiveness of a Virtual Reality system to enhance Tonglen compassion practice
Compassion-based interventions have been shown to improve numerous mental health outcomes. However, they are time-and effort-intensive, and entail a high dropout rate. Virtual Reality (VR) could be a useful tool to enhance compassion practice by immersing users in a VR environment, thus facilitating the construction and sustainment of mental images necessary for the practice. The objective of this preliminary study is to describe the VR system and assess its capacity to successfully guide a complex compassion practice: Tonglen meditation (TM). 30 participants practiced TM for 15 minutes in a VR environment (Tonglen-VR). Assessment took place before and after TM evaluating self-reported, compassion, criticism, and affect. Moreover, heart rate variability was collected during the whole session as an objective indicator of compassion state. Results showed significantly higher levels of compassion and positive affect, coupled with a decrease in criticism and negative affect. Physiological markers showed a significant increase in heart-rate variability compared to baseline, indicating higher parasympathetic nervous system activation. Moreover, participants showed high engagement and level of compassion practice quality. This study provides preliminary evidence regarding the effectiveness of a Tonglen-VR system as a promising tool in improving practice of compassion.
Exploring Visceral Body Scan, Somatosensory Body Scan, and External Meditation: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Mindfulness 16, 2451–2471 (2025)
This study aimed to (1) investigate the feasibility of three online-delivered mindfulness practices that emphasize different types of attentional focus: visceral body scan (VBS), somatosensory body scan (SBS), and external (non-body) meditation (ECM), and (2) gain insight into the potential effects of these interventions on interoceptive and other psychological outcomes.
Experiencing active compassion: A microphenomenological study of Tonglen meditation in expert practitioners
Mindfulness 16, 2361–2377 (2025)
Compassion can be cultivated through meditation; one such practice is Tonglen, a visualization technique rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Few studies have focused on Tonglen, indicating its complexity. Phenomenological approaches capture the richness and depth of lived experiences, being ideally suited for investigating such intricate practices. Notably, no phenomenological studies have explored the nuances of Tonglen, presenting a significant literature gap which this study aims to address.