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Luo X, Zhao J, Zhao D, Wang L, Hou Y, Liu Y, Zeng J, Yuan H, Lei X. Differences in attentional function between experienced mindfulness meditators and non-meditators. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1341294. [PMID: 38563033 PMCID: PMC10982879 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1341294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Attentional enhancement has often been identified as the central cognitive mechanism underlying the benefits of mindfulness meditation. However, the extent to which this enhancement is observable in the neural processes underlying long-term meditation is unclear. This current study aimed to examine differences in attentional performance between meditators and controls (non-meditators) using a visual oddball task with concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Methods Thirty-four participants were recruited, including 16 meditators and 18 healthy controls, who were non-meditators. The participants completed a visual oddball task, using visual stimuli, and EEG recording. Results Self-reports revealed that meditators had higher mindful attention scores than did the control group. The behavioral results showed that the meditators demonstrated faster reaction times than the non-meditators did. Neural findings indicated a higher P2 amplitude in the meditators than in the controls. The meditators demonstrated a significantly higher P3 in the target trials than in the distractor trials, which was not observed in the controls. Additionally, the time-frequency analysis demonstrated that the delta and theta powers in the meditators were significantly higher than those in the controls. Conclusions The study suggests the meditators exhibited greater attentional performance than the controls did, as revealed by EEG and behavioral measures. This study extends previous research on the effects of mindfulness meditation on attention and adds to our understanding of the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Luo
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongfang Zhao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Hou
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Yuan
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Lei
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Sun F, Wang S, Wang Y, Sun J, Li Y, Li Y, Xu Y, Wang X. Differences in generation and maintenance between ictal and interictal generalized spike-and-wave discharges in childhood absence epilepsy: A magnetoencephalography study. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 148:109440. [PMID: 37748416 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is characterized by impaired consciousness and distinct electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. However, interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) do not lead to noticeable symptoms. This study examines the disparity between ictal and interictal generalized spike-and-wave discharges (GSWDs) to determine the mechanisms behind CAE and consciousness. METHODS We enrolled 24 patients with ictal and interictal GSWDs in the study. The magnetoencephalography (MEG) data were recorded before and during GSWDs at a sampling rate of 6000 Hz and analyzed across six frequency bands. The absolute and relative spectral power were estimated with the Minimum Norm Estimate (MNE) combined with the Welch technique. All the statistical analyses were performed using paired-sample tests. RESULTS During GSWDs, the right lateral occipital cortex indicated a significant difference in the theta band (5-7 Hz) with stronger power (P = 0.027). The interictal group possessed stronger spectral power in the delta band (P < 0.01) and weaker power in the alpha band (P < 0.01) as early as 10 s before GSWDs in absolute and relative spectral power. Additionally, the ictal group revealed enhanced spectral power inside the occipital cortex in the alpha band and stronger spectral power in the right frontal regions within beta (15-29 Hz), gamma 1 (30-59 Hz), and gamma 2 (60-90 Hz) bands. CONCLUSIONS GSWDs seem to change gradually, with local neural activity changing even 10 s before discharge. During GSWDs, visual afferent stimulus insensitivity could be related to the impaired response state in CAE. The inhibitory signal in the low-frequency band can shorten GSWD duration, thereby achieving seizure control through inhibitory effect strengthening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangling Sun
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingfan Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jintao Sun
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yihan Li
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoshan Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Aldahadha B. Developing a Jordanian Measure of Reverence in Muslim Praying ('Khushoo'): Content Validity, Factor Structure and Reliability. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:3664-3686. [PMID: 36943556 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01801-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Many Muslims complain of straying while praying because of life's problems and psychological pressures (i.e., reflecting on topics other than prayer). To assess this problem, it was necessary to develop a measure of reverence in Muslim praying (MRMP). The study aimed to collect items from the theoretical literature and investigate these to determine the validity of the content by consultation with a group of experts (n = 17), after which the number of items was reduced to 39. The study focused on two random and completely different samples. The first sample (n = 396) was used to verify the validity of exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The results showed that the following four factors explain 67.27% of the variance in the total scale: groveling, focused attention, contemplation, and praying behavior control. The second sample (n = 362) was used to verify the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) as well as the convergent validity and reliability of the data. Additionally, the four factors were confirmed using bifactor confirmatory factor analysis (B-CFA) and met the criteria for fitness. Likewise, all correlation values between the MRMP and mental health, mindfulness, happiness, and well-being were significant. In addition, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the four factors ranged between 0.85 and 0.77 and the total score was 0.92. Finally, the correlations between the MRMP and the four factors were significant. The study concluded that the MRMP is appropriate for assessing reverence in Muslim praying, can be used to promote psychological health in the context of prayers, and can serve as a foundation for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basim Aldahadha
- Department of Counseling and Special Education, Mutah University, Mutah, Al-Karak, 61710, Jordan.
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Kim SC, Choi MJ. Does the Sound of a Singing Bowl Synchronize Meditational Brainwaves in the Listeners? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6180. [PMID: 37372766 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to verify if the beating sound of a singing bowl synchronizes and activates brain waves during listening. The singing bowl used in this experiment produce beats at a frequency of 6.68 Hz, while it decays exponentially and lasts for about 50 s. Brain waves were measured for 5 min in the F3 and F4 regions of seventeen participants (eight males and nine females, average age 25.2) who heard the beating singing bowl sounds. The experimental results showed that the increases (up to ~251%) in the spectral magnitudes of the brain waves were dominant at the beat frequency compared to those of any other clinical brain wave frequency bands. The observed synchronized activation of the brain waves at the beating sound frequency supports that the singing bowl sound may effectively facilitate meditation and relaxation, considering that the beat frequency belongs to the theta wave region which increases in the relaxed meditation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Chan Kim
- Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Joo Choi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si 63243, Republic of Korea
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Schwartzmann B, Quilty LC, Dhami P, Uher R, Allen TA, Kloiber S, Lam RW, Frey BN, Milev R, Müller DJ, Soares CN, Foster JA, Rotzinger S, Kennedy SH, Farzan F. Resting-state EEG delta and alpha power predict response to cognitive behavioral therapy in depression: a Canadian biomarker integration network for depression study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8418. [PMID: 37225718 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often recommended as a first-line treatment in depression. However, access to CBT remains limited, and up to 50% of patients do not benefit from this therapy. Identifying biomarkers that can predict which patients will respond to CBT may assist in designing optimal treatment allocation strategies. In a Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression (CAN-BIND) study, forty-one adults with depression were recruited to undergo a 16-week course of CBT with thirty having resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recorded at baseline and week 2 of therapy. Successful clinical response to CBT was defined as a 50% or greater reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from baseline to post-treatment completion. EEG relative power spectral measures were analyzed at baseline, week 2, and as early changes from baseline to week 2. At baseline, lower relative delta (0.5-4 Hz) power was observed in responders. This difference was predictive of successful clinical response to CBT. Furthermore, responders exhibited an early increase in relative delta power and a decrease in relative alpha (8-12 Hz) power compared to non-responders. These changes were also found to be good predictors of response to the therapy. These findings showed the potential utility of resting-state EEG in predicting CBT outcomes. They also further reinforce the promise of an EEG-based clinical decision-making tool to support treatment decisions for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Schwartzmann
- eBrain Lab, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, 13750-96 Ave, Surrey, BC, V3V 1Z2, Canada
| | - Lena C Quilty
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Prabhjot Dhami
- eBrain Lab, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, 13750-96 Ave, Surrey, BC, V3V 1Z2, Canada
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Rudolf Uher
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS, B3H 2E2, Canada
| | - Timothy A Allen
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Stefan Kloiber
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Raymond W Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada
| | - Benicio N Frey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th St., Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare, 100 West 5th St., Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Roumen Milev
- Department of Psychiatry, Providence Care, Queen's University, 752 King Street West, Kingston, ON, K7L 4X3, Canada
| | - Daniel J Müller
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Claudio N Soares
- Department of Psychiatry, Providence Care, Queen's University, 752 King Street West, Kingston, ON, K7L 4X3, Canada
| | - Jane A Foster
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th St., Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Susan Rotzinger
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Sidney H Kennedy
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Faranak Farzan
- eBrain Lab, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, 13750-96 Ave, Surrey, BC, V3V 1Z2, Canada.
- University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada.
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Dyadic inter-brain EEG coherence induced by interoceptive hyperscanning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4344. [PMID: 36927763 PMCID: PMC10020471 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31494-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous single-brain studies suggested interoception plays a role in interpersonal synchronization. The aim of the present study was to assess the electrophysiological intersubject coherence through electrophysiological (EEG) hyperscanning recording during simple dyadic synchronization tasks when the participants focused on their breath. To this aim, the neural activity of 15 dyads of participants was collected during the execution of a cognitive and motor synchronization task in two distinct IA conditions: focus and no focus on the breath condition. Individuals' EEG frequency bands were recorded through EEG hyperscanning and coherence analysis was performed. Results showed greater EEG coherence was observed for the alpha band in frontopolar brain regions (Fp1, Fp2) and also in central brain regions (C3, C4) within the dyads, during the focus on the breath condition for the motor compared to the cognitive synchronization task; during the same experimental condition, delta and theta band showed augmented inter-individual coherence in the frontal region (Fz) and central areas (C3, C4). To conclude, the current hyperscanning study highlights how the manipulation of the interoceptive focus (obtained through the focus on the breath) strengthens the manifestation of the EEG markers of interpersonal tuning during a motor synchronization task in specific brain areas.
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Can Immersive Sound Therapy Counteract Neurodegeneration by Enhancing Glymphatic Clearance? Comment on Sachdeva et al. Effects of Sound Interventions on the Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Meningeal Lymphatic Clearance. Brain Sci. 2022, 12, 742. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13010098. [PMID: 36672079 PMCID: PMC9857199 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We would like to congratulate Sachdeva and colleagues for establishing an informative review regarding the effects of music/sound exposure on blood-brain barrier permeability and meningeal lymphatic/glymphatic clearance, and would appreciate the opportunity to make a comment. The review by Sachdeva and colleagues documents the beneficial effects of sound interventions on blood-brain barrier permeability and the activity of the meningeal lymphatic/glymphatic system. The authors further note that sound interventions may have the potential to reduce the accumulation of amyloid-β within the brain in Alzheimer's disease through improved meningeal lymphatic/glymphatic clearance. The authors also nicely discuss evidence that music influences sleep quality, which may facilitate glymphatic solute clearance as a result of an increase in the interstitial space, which results in reduced resistance to fluid transport. We fully agree with this notion, since we recently hypothesized that immersive sound therapy may be an innovative approach to reduce the individual risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, by inducing EEG slow-wave delta oscillations (which characterize deep sleep), thereby promoting glymphatic clearance.
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Angioletti L, Balconi M. Delta-Alpha EEG pattern reflects the interoceptive focus effect on interpersonal motor synchronization. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2022; 3:1012810. [PMID: 38235477 PMCID: PMC10790895 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2022.1012810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Little is known about how the modulation of the interoceptive focus impacts the neural correlates of high-level social processes, such as synchronization mechanisms. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the intraindividual electrophysiological (EEG) patterns induced by the interoceptive focus on breath when performing cognitive and motor tasks requiring interpersonal synchronization. A sample of 28 healthy caucasian adults was recruited and asked to perform two tasks requiring interpersonal synchronization during two distinct conditions: while focusing on the breath or without the focus on the breath. EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, and beta band) were recorded from the frontal, temporo-central, and parieto-occipital regions of interest. Significant results were observed for the delta and alpha bands. Notably, higher mean delta values and alpha desynchronization were observed in the temporo-central area during the focus on the breath condition when performing the motor compared to the cognitive synchronization task. Taken together these results could be interpreted considering the functional meaning of delta and alpha band in relation to motor synchronization. Indeed, motor delta oscillations shape the dynamics of motor behaviors and motor neural processes, while alpha band attenuation was previously observed during generation, observation, and imagery of movement and is considered to reflect cortical motor activity and action-perception coupling. Overall, the research shows that an EEG delta-alpha pattern emerges in the temporo-central areas at the intra-individual level, indicating the attention to visceral signals, particularly during interpersonal motor synchrony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Angioletti
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Balconi
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Angioletti L, Balconi M. EEG brain oscillations are modulated by interoception in response to a synchronized motor vs. cognitive task. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:991522. [PMID: 36213612 PMCID: PMC9540215 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.991522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
So far, little is known about how conscious attention to internal body signals, that is, interoception, affects the synchronization with another person, a necessary or required social process that promotes affiliations and cooperation during daily joint social interactions. The effect of explicit interoceptive attentiveness (IA) modulation, conceived as the focus on the breath for a given time interval, on electrophysiological (EEG) correlates during an interpersonal motor task compared with a cognitive synchronization task was investigated in this study. A total of 28 healthy participants performed a motor and a cognitive synchronization task during the focus and no-focus breath conditions. During the tasks, frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands) from the frontal, temporo-central, and parieto-occipital regions of interest (ROIs) were acquired. According to the results, significantly higher delta and theta power were found in the focus condition in the frontal ROI during the execution of the motor than the cognitive synchronization task. Moreover, in the same experimental condition, delta and beta band power increased in the temporo-central ROI. The current study suggested two main patterns of frequency band modulation during the execution of a motor compared with the cognitive synchronization task while a person is focusing the attention on one's breath. This study can be considered as the first attempt to classify the different effects of interoceptive manipulation on motor and cognitive synchronization tasks using neurophysiological measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Angioletti
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Balconi
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Krishna D, Prasanna K, Angadi B, Singh BK, Anurag S, Deepeshwar S. Heartfulness Meditation Alters Electroencephalogram Oscillations: An Electroencephalogram Study. Int J Yoga 2022; 15:205-214. [PMID: 36949832 PMCID: PMC10026341 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_138_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heartfulness meditation (HM) has been shown to have positive impacts on cognition and well-being, which makes it important to look into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the phenomenon. Aim A cross-sectional study was conducted on HM meditators and nonmeditators to assess frontal electrical activities of the brain and self-reported anxiety and mindfulness. Settings and Design The present study employed a cross-sectional design. Methods Sixty-one participants were recruited, 28 heartfulness meditators (average age male: 31.54 ± 4.2 years and female: 30.04 ± 7.1 years) and 33 nonmeditators (average age male: 25 ± 8.5 years and female: 23.45 ± 6.5 years). An electroencephalogram (EEG) was employed to assess brain activity during baseline (5 min), meditation (10 min), transmission (10 min) and post (5 min). Self-reported mindfulness and anxiety were also collected in the present study. The EEG power spectral density (PSD) and coherence were processed using MATLAB. The statistical analysis was performed using an independent sample t-test for trait mindfulness and anxiety, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for state mindfulness and anxiety, and Two-way multivariate ANOVA for EEG spectral frequency and coherence. Results The results showed higher state and trait mindfulness, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively, and lower state and trait anxiety, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively. The PSD outcomes showed higher theta (P < 0.001) and alpha (P < 0.01); lower beta (P < 0.001) and delta (P < 0.05) power in HM meditators compared to nonmeditators. Similarly, higher coherence was found in the theta (P < 0.01), alpha (P < 0.05), and beta (P < 0.01) bands in HM meditators. Conclusions These findings suggest that HM practice may result in wakeful relaxation and internalized attention that can influence cognition and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwivedi Krishna
- Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Basavaraj Angadi
- Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Bikesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Shrivastava Anurag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Singh Deepeshwar
- Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Ken Tanaka G, Russell TA, Bittencourt J, Marinho V, Teixeira S, Hugo Bastos V, Gongora M, Ramim M, Budde H, Aprigio D, Fernando Basile L, Cagy M, Ribeiro P, Gupta DS, Velasques B. Open monitoring meditation alters the EEG gamma coherence in experts meditators: The expert practice exhibit greater right intra-hemispheric functional coupling. Conscious Cogn 2022; 102:103354. [PMID: 35636352 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study investigated the differences in frontoparietal EEG gamma coherence between expert meditators (EM) and naïve meditators (NM). MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of twenty-one healthy adults divided under two groups (experts meditators vs. naive-meditators), with analyzing the intra-hemispheric coherence of frontoparietal gamma oscillations by electroencephalography during the study steps: EEG resting-state 1, during the open presence meditation practice, and EEG resting-state 2. RESULTS The findings demonstrated greater frontoparietal EEG coherence in gamma for experts meditators in the Fp1-P3, F4-P4, F8-P4 electrode pairs during rest 1 and rest 2 (p ≤ 0.0083). In addition, we evidenced differences in the frontoparietal EEG coherence for expert meditators in F4-P4, F8-P4 during the meditation (p ≤ 0.0083). CONCLUSION Our results can support evidence that the connectivity of the right frontoparietal network acts as a biomarker of the enhanced Open monitoring meditation training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guaraci Ken Tanaka
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Applied Neuroscience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Mente Aberta, Brazilian Center for Mindfulness and Health Promotion, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamara A Russell
- Neuroimaging Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience of King's College, London, UK
| | - Juliana Bittencourt
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Veiga de Almeida University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Victor Marinho
- Neuro-innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.
| | - Silmar Teixeira
- Neuro-innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Bastos
- Brain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory, Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba, Brazil
| | - Mariana Gongora
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Ramim
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Applied Neuroscience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Henning Budde
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Danielle Aprigio
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Applied Neuroscience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mauricio Cagy
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ribeiro
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Applied Neuroscience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Bioscience Department, School of Physical Education of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daya S Gupta
- College of Science and Humanities, College of Health and Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, USA
| | - Bruna Velasques
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Applied Neuroscience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Bioscience Department, School of Physical Education of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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12
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Lapomarda G, Valer S, Job R, Grecucci A. Built to last: Theta and delta changes in resting-state EEG activity after regulating emotions. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2597. [PMID: 35560984 PMCID: PMC9226824 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past years, electroencephalography (EEG) studies focused on task-related activity to characterize cortical responses associated with emotion regulation (ER), without exploring the possibility that regulating emotions can leave a trace in the brain by affecting its oscillatory activity. Demonstrating whether the effect of regulation alters the brain activity after the session and whether this reflects an increased cognitive regulatory ability has great relevance. METHODS To address this issue, 5 min of electrical brain activity at rest were recorded before and after (1) one session in which participants perceived and regulated (through distancing) their emotions (regulation session, ReS), and (2) another session in which they only perceived emotions (attend session, AtS). One hundred and sixty visual stimuli were presented, and subjective ratings of valence and arousal of stimuli were recorded. RESULTS Behavioral results showed the efficacy of the regulation strategy in modulating both arousal and valence. A cluster-based permutation test on EEG data at rest revealed a significant increase in theta and delta activity after the ReS compared to the AtS, suggesting that regulating emotions can alter brain activity after the session. CONCLUSIONS These results allowed us to outline a comprehensive view of the neurophysiological mechanisms associated with ER, as well as some possible implications in psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Lapomarda
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Science Division, New York University of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Stefania Valer
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Remo Job
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grecucci
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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13
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Paoletti P, Leshem R, Pellegrino M, Ben-Soussan TD. Tackling the Electro-Topography of the Selves Through the Sphere Model of Consciousness. Front Psychol 2022; 13:836290. [PMID: 35664179 PMCID: PMC9161303 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.836290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current hypothesis paper, we propose a novel examination of consciousness and self-awareness through the neuro-phenomenological theoretical model known as the Sphere Model of Consciousness (SMC). Our aim is to create a practical instrument to address several methodological issues in consciousness research. We present a preliminary attempt to validate the SMC via a simplified electrophysiological topographic map of the Self. This map depicts the gradual shift from faster to slower frequency bands that appears to mirror the dynamic between the various SMC states of Self. In order to explore our hypothesis that the SMC's different states of Self correspond to specific frequency bands, we present a mini-review of studies examining the electrophysiological activity that occurs within the different states of Self and in the context of specific meditation types. The theoretical argument presented here is that the SMC's hierarchical organization of three states of the Self mirrors the hierarchical organization of Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, and Non-Dual meditation types. This is followed by testable predictions and potential applications of the SMC and the hypotheses derived from it. To our knowledge, this is the first integrated electrophysiological account that combines types of Self and meditation practices. We suggest this electro-topographic framework of the Selves enables easier, clearer conceptualization of the connections between meditation types as well as increased understanding of wakefulness states and altered states of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizio Paoletti
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, Assisi, Italy
| | - Rotem Leshem
- Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Michele Pellegrino
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, Assisi, Italy
| | - Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, Assisi, Italy
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14
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Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on cortical sources of EEG rhythms in the resting state in elderly individuals: a cross-sectional study. Neuroreport 2022; 33:180-185. [DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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Ng HYH, Wu CW, Huang FY, Cheng YT, Guu SF, Huang CM, Hsu CF, Chao YP, Jung TP, Chuang CH. Mindfulness Training Associated With Resting-State Electroencephalograms Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-Scan. Front Psychol 2021; 12:748584. [PMID: 34777144 PMCID: PMC8581621 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been proven to improve mental health and quality of life. This study examined how mindfulness training and various types of mindfulness practices altered brain activity. Methods: Specifically, the spectral powers of scalp electroencephalography of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group (n=17) who underwent an 8-week MBSR training-including mindful breathing and body-scan-were evaluated and compared with those of the waitlist controls (n=14). Results: Empirical results indicated that the post-intervention effect of MBSR significantly elevated the resting-state beta powers and reduced resting-state delta powers in both practices; such changes were not observed in the waitlist control. Compared with mindful breathing, body-scanning resulted in an overall decline in electroencephalograms (EEG) spectral powers at both delta and low-gamma bands among trained participants. Conclusion: Together with our preliminary data of expert mediators, the aforementioned spectral changes were salient after intervention, but mitigated along with expertise. Additionally, after receiving training, the MBSR group's mindfulness and emotion regulation levels improved significantly, which were correlated with the EEG spectral changes in the theta, alpha, and low-beta bands. The results supported that MBSR might function as a unique internal processing tool that involves increased vigilant capability and induces alterations similar to other cognitive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hei-Yin Hydra Ng
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Changwei W. Wu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital-Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Ying Huang
- Department of Education, National Taipei University of Education, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiao-Fei Guu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mao Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fen Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Chao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Ping Jung
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute for Neural Computation and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Chun-Hsiang Chuang
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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16
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Young JH, Arterberry ME, Martin JP. Contrasting Electroencephalography-Derived Entropy and Neural Oscillations With Highly Skilled Meditators. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:628417. [PMID: 33994976 PMCID: PMC8119624 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.628417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation is an umbrella term for a number of mental training practices designed to improve the monitoring and regulation of attention and emotion. Some forms of meditation are now being used for clinical intervention. To accompany the increased clinical interest in meditation, research investigating the neural basis of these practices is needed. A central hypothesis of contemplative neuroscience is that meditative states, which are unique on a phenomenological level, differ on a neurophysiological level. To identify the electrophysiological correlates of meditation practice, the electrical brain activity of highly skilled meditators engaging in one of six meditation styles (shamatha, vipassana, zazen, dzogchen, tonglen, and visualization) was recorded. A mind-wandering task served as a control. Lempel-Ziv complexity showed differences in nonlinear brain dynamics (entropy) during meditation compared with mind wandering, suggesting that meditation, regardless of practice, affects neural complexity. In contrast, there were no differences in power spectra at six different frequency bands, likely due to the fact that participants engaged in different meditation practices. Finally, exploratory analyses suggest neurological differences among meditation practices. These findings highlight the importance of studying the electroencephalography (EEG) correlates of different meditative practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob H. Young
- Department of Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME, United States
- Department of Psychology, Colby College, Waterville, ME, United States
| | | | - Joshua P. Martin
- Department of Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME, United States
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17
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Linares PL, Ratti SG, Alvarez EO. Cognitive performance in high school students after short treatment of zazen meditation technic. JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.26599/jnr.2021.9040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Zazen is one of several meditation technics that pretends to reach calmness, reducing interference, and controlling awareness practiced by many people in the world. Zazen practitioners claim that a natural sense of wellbeing, spontaneous joy and self-fulfilling is achieved with its practice. Neuroscientific evidence shows that important modifications in the neuronal electric activity with compromise of several brain structures has been observed, especially those that are involved in modulation of attention. Our laboratory was interested to study the possible behavioural effects of a short time zazen practice to a group of secondary students of public or private high schools, with no previous training in any meditation technics. Two groups, 15-17 years old coursing the 4th or 5th year of their secondary study, one receiving zazen training (n = 31), and the other one recreation activities (n = 45) were selected. All subjects were tested with the Tower of London, Tower of Hanoi, Wisconsin Card Sorting and Stroop test to evaluate the cognitive abilities, at the beginning of the experiment (t0) and at the end of the experiment (t1, about 3 months later). Results showed that in the Tower of London and Tower of Hanoi, zazen group displayed significant less movements to solve the task, compared to Control. No differences were found between both groups in solving the Wisconsin Card Sorting test, but in the Stroop test zazen group was superior to Control in making significant less mistakes during solving the task. Results are compatible with a positive effect of zazen training in behavioural abilities of attention and planning strategies in secondary students.
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18
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Deolindo CS, Ribeiro MW, Aratanha MA, Afonso RF, Irrmischer M, Kozasa EH. A Critical Analysis on Characterizing the Meditation Experience Through the Electroencephalogram. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:53. [PMID: 32848645 PMCID: PMC7427581 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation practices, originated from ancient traditions, have increasingly received attention due to their potential benefits to mental and physical health. The scientific community invests efforts into scrutinizing and quantifying the effects of these practices, especially on the brain. There are methodological challenges in describing the neural correlates of the subjective experience of meditation. We noticed, however, that technical considerations on signal processing also don't follow standardized approaches, which may hinder generalizations. Therefore, in this article, we discuss the usage of the electroencephalogram (EEG) as a tool to study meditation experiences in healthy individuals. We describe the main EEG signal processing techniques and how they have been translated to the meditation field until April 2020. Moreover, we examine in detail the limitations/assumptions of these techniques and highlight some good practices, further discussing how technical specifications may impact the interpretation of the outcomes. By shedding light on technical features, this article contributes to more rigorous approaches to evaluate the construct of meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mona Irrmischer
- Department of Integrative Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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19
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Fully immersed: State absorption and electrophysiological effects of the OVO Whole-Body Perceptual Deprivation chamber. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 244:165-184. [PMID: 30732836 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Absorption, the ability to highly focus attention, as well as openness to self-altering experiences, is an important psychological construct, closely related to deep-meditation states and other altered states of consciousness. Yet, little is known about the electrophysiological profile of states of absorption, possibly due to the difficulty to induce this state in the lab. While most studies have used a visual Ganzfeld (homogeneous perceptual field), here we use a novel technique of full immersion-the OVO Whole-Body Perceptual Deprivation (OVO-WBPD) chamber, which is an altered sensory environment in the form of a human-sized egg. Consequently, the aims of the current study were to investigate whether the OVO-WBPD chamber induces state absorption, using first-person reports, as well as to examine electrophysiological change following immersion in this altered sensory environment. Fourteen participants volunteered to participate in the study. Trait absorption was measured using the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). State absorption was assessed by analyzing the content of the subjective reports, using sub-categories of the absorption construct (e.g., synesthesia). EEG was measured before and during a 20-min OVO-WBPD experience. Using exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA), we analyzed change in oscillatory EEG activity and localized the generators of the scalp EEG power spectra following the OVO-WBPD. Our results show that OVO-WBPD immersion leads to a state of absorption in all participants. We also report significant increased oscillatory activity in the delta and beta bands, in the left inferior frontal cortex, with a peak in the sub-lobar of the left insula. In addition, a positive correlation was found between change in delta activity and trait absorption. The results are discussed in light of other meditative practices and altered states of consciousness.
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20
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Gao J, Leung HK, Wu BWY, Skouras S, Sik HH. The neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4262. [PMID: 30862790 PMCID: PMC6414545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40200-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research on various types of meditation, research on the neural correlates of religious chanting is in a nascent stage. Using multi-modal electrophysiological and neuroimaging methods, we illustrate that during religious chanting, the posterior cingulate cortex shows the largest decrease in eigenvector centrality, potentially due to regional endogenous generation of delta oscillations. Our data show that these functional effects are not due to peripheral cardiac or respiratory activity, nor due to implicit language processing. Finally, we suggest that the neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting are likely different from those of meditation and prayer, and would possibly induce distinctive psychotherapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junling Gao
- Buddhism and Science Research Lab, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Hang Kin Leung
- Buddhism and Science Research Lab, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Bonnie Wai Yan Wu
- Buddhism and Science Research Lab, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Stavros Skouras
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hin Hung Sik
- Buddhism and Science Research Lab, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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21
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Hata M, Hayashi N, Ishii R, Canuet L, Pascual-Marqui RD, Aoki Y, Ikeda S, Sakamoto T, Iwata M, Kimura K, Iwase M, Ikeda M, Ito T. Short-term meditation modulates EEG activity in subjects with post-traumatic residual disabilities. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2019; 4:30-36. [PMID: 30886941 PMCID: PMC6402287 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to detect EEG changes induced by meditative interventions in PTRD subjects. PTRD subjects exhibited increased gamma activity in the IPL relative to controls. Changes of delta activity in the precuneus correlated with changes of the QOL scale.
Objective Neurophysiological changes related to meditation have recently attracted scientific attention. We aimed to detect changes in electroencephalography (EEG) parameters induced by a meditative intervention in subjects with post-traumatic residual disability (PTRD), which has been confirmed for effectiveness and safety in a previous study. This will allow us to estimate the objective effect of this intervention at the neurophysiological level. Methods Ten subjects with PTRD were recruited and underwent psychological assessment and EEG recordings before and after the meditative intervention. Furthermore, 10 additional subjects were recruited as normal controls. Source current density as an EEG parameter was estimated by exact Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA). Comparisons of source current density in PTRD subjects after the meditative intervention with normal controls were investigated. Additionally, we compared source current density in PTRD subjects between before and after meditative intervention. Correlations between psychological assessments and source current density were also explored. Results After meditative intervention, PTRD subjects exhibited increased gamma activity in the left inferior parietal lobule relative to normal controls. In addition, changes of delta activity in the right precuneus correlated with changes in the psychological score on role physical item, one of the quality of life scales reflecting the work or daily difficulty due to physical problems. Conclusions These results show that the meditative intervention used in this study produces neurophysiological changes, in particular the modulation of oscillatory activity of the brain. Significance Our meditative interventions might induce the neurophysiological changes associated with the improvement of psychological symptoms in the PTRD subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Hata
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Hayashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Integrative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryouhei Ishii
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Palliative Care, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Ashiya, Japan
| | - Leonides Canuet
- Department of Cognitive, Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Roberto D Pascual-Marqui
- The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Japan
| | - Yasunori Aoki
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Nippon Life Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shunichiro Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Japan
| | - Toshiko Sakamoto
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Japan Yoga Therapy Society, Japan
| | - Masami Iwata
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Japan Yoga Therapy Society, Japan
| | | | - Masao Iwase
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Toshinori Ito
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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22
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Deepeshwar S, Nagendra HR, Rana BB, Visweswaraiah NK. Evolution from four mental states to the highest state of consciousness: A neurophysiological basis of meditation as defined in yoga texts. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 244:31-83. [PMID: 30732843 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This chapter provides a theoretical introduction to states of consciousness and reviews neuroscientific investigations of meditation. The different states of consciousness consist of four mental states, i.e., cancalata (random thinking), ekagrata (non-meditative focusing), dharna (focused meditation), and dhyana (meditation) as defined in yoga texts. Meditation is a self-regulated mental process associated with deep relaxation and increased internalized attention. Scientific investigations on meditation reported changes in electrophysiological signals and neuroimaging measures. But most outcomes of meditation studies showed inconsistent results, this may be due to heterogeneity in meditation methods and techniques evolved in the last 200 years. Traditionally, the features of meditation include the capacity to sustain a heightened awareness of thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and perceptions. Generally, meditation involves non-reactive effortless monitoring of the content of experience from moment to moment. Focused meditation practice involves awareness on a single object and open monitoring meditation is a non-directive meditation involved attention in breathing, mantra, or sound. Therefore, results of few empirical studies of advanced meditators or beginners remain tentative. This is an attempt to compile the meditation-related changes in electrophysiological and neuroimaging processes among experienced and novice practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Singh Deepeshwar
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
| | - H R Nagendra
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
| | - Bal Budhi Rana
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
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23
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Glicksohn J, Berkovich-Ohana A. When meditators avoid counting during time production things get interesting. Psych J 2018; 8:17-27. [PMID: 30358176 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Time production (TP) with or without chronometric counting both instantiates and reflects the working of an internal clock, as originally posited by Treisman. We exploit the fact that a number of experienced meditators, who had previously participated in a study wherein TP was assessed, and who had employed chronometric counting then, would be coming back to the lab to participate in a second study. We specifically requested that they should not employ chronometric counting this time, thus allowing us to contrast TP with and without counting. We report a qualitative difference between TP implemented by counting and TP without counting: The first is a linear function of target duration (T), while the second is not, and entails a discontinuity in the function. Requesting meditators not to engage in chronometric counting, and thereby forcing them to rely instead on other cues (sensory, bodily, etc.), might well be an appropriate context in which to observe such a discontinuity in TP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Glicksohn
- Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Aviva Berkovich-Ohana
- The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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24
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Christie GJ, Hamilton T, Manor BD, Farb NAS, Farzan F, Sixsmith A, Temprado JJ, Moreno S. Do Lifestyle Activities Protect Against Cognitive Decline in Aging? A Review. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:381. [PMID: 29209201 PMCID: PMC5701915 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of patients suffering from dementia is expected to more than triple by the year 2040, and this represents a major challenge to publicly-funded healthcare systems throughout the world. One of the most effective prevention mechanisms against dementia lies in increasing brain- and cognitive-reserve capacity, which has been found to reduce the behavioral severity of dementia symptoms as neurological degeneration progresses. To date though, most of the factors known to enhance this reserve stem from largely immutable history factors, such as level of education and occupational attainment. Here, we review the potential for basic lifestyle activities, including physical exercise, meditation and musical experience, to contribute to reserve capacity and thus reduce the incidence of dementia in older adults. Relative to other therapies, these activities are low cost, are easily scalable and can be brought to market quickly and easily. Overall, although preliminary evidence is promising at the level of randomized control trials, the state of research on this topic remains underdeveloped. As a result, several important questions remain unanswered, including the amount of training required to receive any cognitive benefit from these activities and the extent to which this benefit continues following cessation. Future research directions are discussed for each lifestyle activity, as well as the potential for these and other lifestyle activities to serve as both a prophylactic and a therapeutic treatment for dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Christie
- Digital Health Hub, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada.,Science and Technology for Aging Research Institute, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada
| | - Tara Hamilton
- Digital Health Hub, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada
| | - Bradley D Manor
- Institute for Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Norman A S Farb
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Faranak Farzan
- Digital Health Hub, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada.,School of Mechatronics and Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew Sixsmith
- Digital Health Hub, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada.,Science and Technology for Aging Research Institute, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada.,Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jean-Jacques Temprado
- Institut des Sciences du Mouvement, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Sylvain Moreno
- Digital Health Hub, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada.,Science and Technology for Aging Research Institute, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada.,School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada
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Glicksohn J, Berkovich-Ohana A, Mauro F, Ben-Soussan TD. Time Perception and the Experience of Time When Immersed in an Altered Sensory Environment. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:487. [PMID: 29056902 PMCID: PMC5635043 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The notion that exposure to a monotonous sensory environment could elicit reports indicating aberrant subjective experience and altered time perception is the impetus for the present report. Research has looked at the influence of exposure to such environments on time perception, reporting that the greater the environmental variation, the shorter is the time estimation obtained by the method of production. Most conditions for creating an altered sensory environment, however, have not facilitated an immersive experience, one that directly impacts both time perception and subjective experience. In this study, we invited our participants to enter a whole-body altered sensory environment for a 20-min session, wherein they were asked to relax without falling asleep. The session included white-colored illumination of the chamber with eyes closed (5 min), followed by 10 min of illuminating the room with color, after which a short report of subjective experience was collected using a brief questionnaire; this was followed by an additional 5 min of immersion in white light with closed eyes. The participants were then interviewed regarding their subjective experience, including their experience of time within the chamber. Prior to entering the chamber, the participants completed a time-production (TP) task. One group of participants then repeated the task within the chamber, at the end of the session; a second group of participants repeated the task after exiting the chamber. We shall report on changes in TP, and present data indicating that when produced time is plotted as a function of target duration, using a log-log plot, the major influence of sensory environment is on the intercept of the psychophysical function. We shall further present data indicating that for those participants reporting a marked change in time experience, such as "the sensation of time disappeared," their TP data could not be linearized using a log-log plot, hence indicating that for these individuals there might be a "break" in the psychophysical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Glicksohn
- Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Aviva Berkovich-Ohana
- The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Federica Mauro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tal D. Ben-Soussan
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation for Development and Communication, Assisi, Italy
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Faber PL, Travis F, Milz P, Parim N. EEG microstates during different phases of Transcendental Meditation practice. Cogn Process 2017; 18:307-314. [PMID: 28451913 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-017-0812-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Two phases of Transcendental Meditation (TM)-transcending and undirected mentation-were compared to each other and to task-free resting using multichannel EEG recorded from 20 TM practitioners. An EEG microstate analysis identified four classes of microstates which were labeled A, B, C and D, based on their similarity to previously published classes. For each class of microstates, mean duration, coverage and occurrence were computed. Resting and transcending differed from undirected mentation with decreased prominence of Class A and increased prominence of Class D microstates. In addition, transcending showed decreased prominence of Class C microstates compared to undirected mentation. Based on previous findings on the functional significance of the microstate classes, the results indicate an increased reference to reality and decreased visualization during resting and transcending compared to undirected mentation. Also, our results indicate decreased saliency of internally generated mentations during transcending compared to undirected mentation reflecting a more detached and less evaluative processing. It is proposed that the continuous cycling through these two phases of meditation during a TM session might facilitate and train the flexible modulation of the parameters of these microstates of these particular classes which are known to be altered in psychiatric disorders. This might promote beneficial stabilizing effects for the practitioner of TM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal L Faber
- The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Lenggstr. 31, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Frederick Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA, USA
| | - Patricia Milz
- The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Lenggstr. 31, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Niyazi Parim
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA, USA
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Flor-Henry P, Shapiro Y, Sombrun C. Brain changes during a shamanic trance: Altered modes of consciousness, hemispheric laterality, and systemic psychobiology. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2017.1313522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yakov Shapiro
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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28
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The embodied mind: A review on functional genomic and neurological correlates of mind-body therapies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 73:165-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Doufesh H, Ibrahim F, Safari M. Effects of Muslims praying (Salat) on EEG gamma activity. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2016; 24:6-10. [PMID: 27502795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the difference of mean gamma EEG power between actual and mimic Salat practices in twenty healthy Muslim subjects. In the actual Salat practice, the participants were asked to recite and performing the physical steps in all four stages of Salat; whereas in the mimic Salat practice, they were instructed to perform only the physical steps without recitation. The gamma power during actual Salat was statistically higher than during mimic Salat in the frontal and parietal regions in all stages. In the actual Salat practice, the left hemisphere exhibited significantly higher mean gamma power in all cerebral regions and all stages, except the central-parietal region in the sitting position, and the frontal area in the bowing position. Increased gamma power during Salat, possibly related to an increase in cognitive and attentional processing, supports the concept of Salat as a focus attention meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Doufesh
- Department of Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Al-Quds University, 20002, Jerusalem, Palestine.
| | - Fatimah Ibrahim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Center for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Safari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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30
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Panda R, Bharath RD, Upadhyay N, Mangalore S, Chennu S, Rao SL. Temporal Dynamics of the Default Mode Network Characterize Meditation-Induced Alterations in Consciousness. Front Hum Neurosci 2016; 10:372. [PMID: 27499738 PMCID: PMC4956663 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Current research suggests that human consciousness is associated with complex, synchronous interactions between multiple cortical networks. In particular, the default mode network (DMN) of the resting brain is thought to be altered by changes in consciousness, including the meditative state. However, it remains unclear how meditation alters the fast and ever-changing dynamics of brain activity within this network. Here we addressed this question using simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare the spatial extents and temporal dynamics of the DMN during rest and meditation. Using fMRI, we identified key reductions in the posterior cingulate hub of the DMN, along with increases in right frontal and left temporal areas, in experienced meditators during rest and during meditation, in comparison to healthy controls (HCs). We employed the simultaneously recorded EEG data to identify the topographical microstate corresponding to activation of the DMN. Analysis of the temporal dynamics of this microstate revealed that the average duration and frequency of occurrence of DMN microstate was higher in meditators compared to HCs. Both these temporal parameters increased during meditation, reflecting the state effect of meditation. In particular, we found that the alteration in the duration of the DMN microstate when meditators entered the meditative state correlated negatively with their years of meditation experience. This reflected a trait effect of meditation, highlighting its role in producing durable changes in temporal dynamics of the DMN. Taken together, these findings shed new light on short and long-term consequences of meditation practice on this key brain network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajanikant Panda
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, National Institute for Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangalore, India; Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute for Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangalore, India
| | - Rose D Bharath
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, National Institute for Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangalore, India; Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute for Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangalore, India
| | - Neeraj Upadhyay
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Sandhya Mangalore
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences Bangalore, India
| | - Srivas Chennu
- School of Computing, University of KentChatham Maritime, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of CambridgeCambridge, UK
| | - Shobini L Rao
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences Bangalore, India
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31
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Entrainment of chaotic activities in brain and heart during MBSR mindfulness training. Neurosci Lett 2016; 616:218-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Telles S, Singh N, Balkrishna A. Augmenting brain function with meditation: can detachment coincide with empathy? Front Syst Neurosci 2015; 9:141. [PMID: 26500514 PMCID: PMC4597130 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Wong WP, Camfield DA, Woods W, Sarris J, Pipingas A. Spectral power and functional connectivity changes during mindfulness meditation with eyes open: A magnetoencephalography (MEG) study in long-term meditators. Int J Psychophysiol 2015; 98:95-111. [PMID: 26166440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Whilst a number of previous studies have been conducted in order to investigate functional brain changes associated with eyes-closed meditation techniques, there is a relative scarcity in the literature with regards to changes occurring during eyes-open meditation. The current project used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate differences in spectral power and functional connectivity between 11 long-term mindfulness meditators (LTMMs) with >5 years of experience and 12 meditation-naïve control participants both during baseline eyes-open rest and eyes-open open-monitoring (OM) mindfulness meditation. During resting with eyes-open, prior to meditating, greater mean alpha power was observed for LTMMs in comparison to controls. However, during the course of OM meditation, a significantly greater increase in theta power was observed over a broad fronto-centro-parietal region for control participants in comparison to LTMMs. In contrast, whole-head mean connectivity was found to be significantly greater for long-term meditators in comparison to controls in the theta band both during rest as well as during meditation. Additionally, mean connectivity was significantly lower for long-term meditators in the low gamma band during rest and significantly lower in both low and high gamma bands during meditation; and the variance of low-gamma connectivity scores for long-term meditators was significantly decreased compared to the control group. The current study provides important new information as to the trait functional changes in brain activity associated with long-term mindfulness meditation, as well as the state changes specifically associated with eyes-open open monitoring meditation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- W P Wong
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - D A Camfield
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - W Woods
- Brain & Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Sarris
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Pipingas
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
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34
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Zazen meditation and no-task resting EEG compared with LORETA intracortical source localization. Cogn Process 2014; 16:87-96. [PMID: 25284209 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-014-0637-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Meditation is a self-induced and willfully initiated practice that alters the state of consciousness. The meditation practice of Zazen, like many other meditation practices, aims at disregarding intrusive thoughts while controlling body posture. It is an open monitoring meditation characterized by detached moment-to-moment awareness and reduced conceptual thinking and self-reference. Which brain areas differ in electric activity during Zazen compared to task-free resting? Since scalp electroencephalography (EEG) waveforms are reference-dependent, conclusions about the localization of active brain areas are ambiguous. Computing intracerebral source models from the scalp EEG data solves this problem. In the present study, we applied source modeling using low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) to 58-channel scalp EEG data recorded from 15 experienced Zen meditators during Zazen and no-task resting. Zazen compared to no-task resting showed increased alpha-1 and alpha-2 frequency activity in an exclusively right-lateralized cluster extending from prefrontal areas including the insula to parts of the somatosensory and motor cortices and temporal areas. Zazen also showed decreased alpha and beta-2 activity in the left angular gyrus and decreased beta-1 and beta-2 activity in a large bilateral posterior cluster comprising the visual cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex and the parietal cortex. The results include parts of the default mode network and suggest enhanced automatic memory and emotion processing, reduced conceptual thinking and self-reference on a less judgmental, i.e., more detached moment-to-moment basis during Zazen compared to no-task resting.
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35
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Kopal J, Vyšata O, Burian J, Schätz M, Procházka A, Vališ M. Complex continuous wavelet coherence for EEG microstates detection in insight and calm meditation. Conscious Cogn 2014; 30:13-23. [PMID: 25129036 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Complex continuous wavelet coherence (WTC) can be used for non-stationary signals, such as electroencephalograms. Areas of the WTC with a coherence higher than the calculated optimal threshold were obtained, and the sum of their areas was used as a criterion to differentiate between groups of experienced insight-focused meditators, calm-focused meditators and a control group. This method demonstrated the highest accuracy for the real WTC parts in the frontal region, while for the imaginary parts, the highest accuracy was shown for the frontal occipital pairs of electrodes. In the frontal area, in the broadband frequency, both types of experienced meditators demonstrated an enlargement of the increased coherence areas for the real WTC parts. For the imaginary parts unaffected by the volume conduction and global artefacts, the most significant increase occurred for the frontal occipital pair of electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Kopal
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Computing and Control Engineering, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Oldřich Vyšata
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Computing and Control Engineering, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Charles University, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Sokolska Street 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Burian
- University of Economics Prague, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, Náměstí Winstona Churchilla 3, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Schätz
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Computing and Control Engineering, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Aleš Procházka
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Computing and Control Engineering, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Vališ
- Charles University, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Sokolska Street 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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36
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Milz P, Faber PL, Lehmann D, Kochi K, Pascual-Marqui RD. sLORETA intracortical lagged coherence during breath counting in meditation-naïve participants. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:303. [PMID: 24860483 PMCID: PMC4030190 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated brain functional connectivity comparing no-task resting to breath counting (a meditation exercise but given as task without referring to meditation). Functional connectivity computed as EEG coherence between head-surface data suffers from localization ambiguity, reference dependence, and overestimation due to volume conduction. Lagged coherence between intracortical model sources addresses these criticisms. With this analysis approach, experienced meditators reportedly showed reduced coherence during meditation, meditation-naïve participants have not yet been investigated. 58-channel EEG from 23 healthy, right-handed, meditation-naïve males during resting [3 runs] and breath counting [2 runs] was computed into sLORETA time series of intracortical electrical activity in 19 regions of interest (ROI) corresponding to the cortex underlying 19 scalp electrode sites, for each of the eight independent EEG frequency bands covering 1.5–44 Hz. Intracortical lagged coherences and head-surface conventional coherences were computed between the 19 regions/sites. During breath counting compared to resting, paired t-tests corrected for multiple testing revealed four significantly lower intracortical lagged coherences, but four significantly higher head-surface conventional coherences. Lowered intracortical lagged coherences involved left BA 10 and right BAs 3, 10, 17, 40. In conclusion, intracortical lagged coherence can yield results that are inverted to those of head-surface conventional coherence. The lowered functional connectivity between cognitive control areas and sensory perception areas during meditation-type breath counting compared to resting conceivably reflects the attention to a bodily percept without cognitive reasoning. The reductions in functional connectivity were similar but not as widespread as the reductions reported during meditation in experienced meditators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Milz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal L Faber
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dietrich Lehmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kieko Kochi
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto D Pascual-Marqui
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland
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Rentzsch J, Adli M, Wiethoff K, Gómez-Carrillo de Castro A, Gallinat J. Pretreatment anterior cingulate activity predicts antidepressant treatment response in major depressive episodes. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2014; 264:213-23. [PMID: 23873091 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-013-0424-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder leads to substantial individual and socioeconomic costs. Despite the ongoing efforts to improve the treatment for this condition, a trial-and-error approach until an individually effective treatment is established still dominates clinical practice. Searching for clinically useful treatment response predictors is one of the most promising strategies to change this quandary therapeutic situation. This study evaluated the predictive value of a biological and a clinical predictor, as well as a combination of both. Pretreatment EEGs of 31 patients with a major depressive episode were analyzed with neuroelectric brain imaging technique to assess cerebral oscillations related to treatment response. Early improvement of symptoms served as a clinical predictor. Treatment response was assessed after 4 weeks of antidepressant treatment. Responders showed more slow-frequency power in the right anterior cingulate cortex compared to non-responders. Slow-frequency power in this region was found to predict response with good sensitivity (82 %) and specificity (100 %), while early improvement showed lower accuracy (73 % sensitivity and 65 % specificity). Combining both parameters did not further improve predictive accuracy. Pretreatment activity within the anterior cingulate cortex is related to antidepressive treatment response. Our results support the search for biological treatment response predictors using electric brain activity. This technique is advantageous due to its low individual and socioeconomic burden. The benefits of combining both, a clinically and a biologically based predictor, should be further evaluated using larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Rentzsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany,
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Kurth F, MacKenzie-Graham A, Toga AW, Luders E. Shifting brain asymmetry: the link between meditation and structural lateralization. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2014; 10:55-61. [PMID: 24643652 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsu029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed an increased fractional anisotropy and greater thickness in the anterior parts of the corpus callosum in meditation practitioners compared with control subjects. Altered callosal features may be associated with an altered inter-hemispheric integration and the degree of brain asymmetry may also be shifted in meditation practitioners. Therefore, we investigated differences in gray matter asymmetry as well as correlations between gray matter asymmetry and years of meditation practice in 50 long-term meditators and 50 controls. We detected a decreased rightward asymmetry in the precuneus in meditators compared with controls. In addition, we observed that a stronger leftward asymmetry near the posterior intraparietal sulcus was positively associated with the number of meditation practice years. In a further exploratory analysis, we observed that a stronger rightward asymmetry in the pregenual cingulate cortex was negatively associated with the number of practice years. The group difference within the precuneus, as well as the positive correlations with meditation years in the pregenual cingulate cortex, suggests an adaptation of the default mode network in meditators. The positive correlation between meditation practice years and asymmetry near the posterior intraparietal sulcus may suggest that meditation is accompanied by changes in attention processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7334, USA and Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Allan MacKenzie-Graham
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7334, USA and Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7334, USA and Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Eileen Luders
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7334, USA and Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
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Britton WB, Lindahl JR, Cahn BR, Davis JH, Goldman RE. Awakening is not a metaphor: the effects of Buddhist meditation practices on basic wakefulness. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2014; 1307:64-81. [PMID: 24372471 PMCID: PMC4054695 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Buddhist meditation practices have become a topic of widespread interest in both science and medicine. Traditional Buddhist formulations describe meditation as a state of relaxed alertness that must guard against both excessive hyperarousal (restlessness) and excessive hypoarousal (drowsiness, sleep). Modern applications of meditation have emphasized the hypoarousing and relaxing effects without as much emphasis on the arousing or alertness-promoting effects. In an attempt to counterbalance the plethora of data demonstrating the relaxing and hypoarousing effects of Buddhist meditation, this interdisciplinary review aims to provide evidence of meditation's arousing or wake-promoting effects by drawing both from Buddhist textual sources and from scientific studies, including subjective, behavioral, and neuroimaging studies during wakefulness, meditation, and sleep. Factors that may influence whether meditation increases or decreases arousal are discussed, with particular emphasis on dose, expertise, and contemplative trajectory. The course of meditative progress suggests a nonlinear multiphasic trajectory, such that early phases that are more effortful may produce more fatigue and sleep propensity, while later stages produce greater wakefulness as a result of neuroplastic changes and more efficient processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willoughby B. Britton
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Jared R. Lindahl
- Department of Religious Studies, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, North Carolina
| | - B. Rael Cahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Jake H. Davis
- Departments of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, New York
| | - Roberta E. Goldman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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40
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Harmony T. The functional significance of delta oscillations in cognitive processing. Front Integr Neurosci 2013; 7:83. [PMID: 24367301 PMCID: PMC3851789 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2013.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 298] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ample evidence suggests that electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillatory activity is linked to a broad variety of perceptual, sensorimotor, and cognitive operations. However, few studies have investigated the delta band (0.5-3.5 Hz) during different cognitive processes. The aim of this review is to present data and propose the hypothesis that sustained delta oscillations inhibit interferences that may affect the performance of mental tasks, possibly by modulating the activity of those networks that should be inactive to accomplish the task. It is clear that two functionally distinct and potentially competing brain networks can be broadly distinguished by their contrasting roles in attention to the external world vs. the internally directed mentation or concentration. During concentration, EEG delta (1-3.5 Hz) activity increases mainly in frontal leads in different tasks: mental calculation, semantic tasks, and the Sternberg paradigm. This last task is considered a working memory task, but in neural, as well as phenomenological, terms, working memory can be best understood as attention focused on an internal representation. In the Sternberg task, increases in power in the frequencies from 1 to 3.90 Hz in frontal regions are reported. In a Go/No-Go task, power increases at 1 Hz in both conditions were observed during 100-300 ms in central, parietal and temporal regions. However, in the No-Go condition, power increases were also observed in frontal regions, suggesting its participation in the inhibition of the motor response. Increases in delta power were also reported during semantic tasks in children. In conclusion, the results suggest that power increases of delta frequencies during mental tasks are associated with functional cortical deafferentation, or inhibition of the sensory afferences that interfere with internal concentration. These inhibitory oscillations would modulate the activity of those networks that should be inactive to accomplish the task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalía Harmony
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, México
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Faber PL, Lehmann D, Tei S, Tsujiuchi T, Kumano H, Pascual-Marqui RD, Kochi K. EEG source imaging during two Qigong meditations. Cogn Process 2012; 13:255-65. [PMID: 22562287 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-012-0441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Experienced Qigong meditators who regularly perform the exercises "Thinking of Nothing" and "Qigong" were studied with multichannel EEG source imaging during their meditations. The intracerebral localization of brain electric activity during the two meditation conditions was compared using sLORETA functional EEG tomography. Differences between conditions were assessed using t statistics (corrected for multiple testing) on the normalized and log-transformed current density values of the sLORETA images. In the EEG alpha-2 frequency, 125 voxels differed significantly; all were more active during "Qigong" than "Thinking of Nothing," forming a single cluster in parietal Brodmann areas 5, 7, 31, and 40, all in the right hemisphere. In the EEG beta-1 frequency, 37 voxels differed significantly; all were more active during "Thinking of Nothing" than "Qigong," forming a single cluster in prefrontal Brodmann areas 6, 8, and 9, all in the left hemisphere. Compared to combined initial-final no-task resting, "Qigong" showed activation in posterior areas whereas "Thinking of Nothing" showed activation in anterior areas. The stronger activity of posterior (right) parietal areas during "Qigong" and anterior (left) prefrontal areas during "Thinking of Nothing" may reflect a predominance of self-reference, attention and input-centered processing in the "Qigong" meditation, and of control-centered processing in the "Thinking of Nothing" meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal L Faber
- The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Clinic for Affective Disorders and General Psychiatry Zurich East, University Hospital of Psychiatry, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Luders E, Phillips OR, Clark K, Kurth F, Toga AW, Narr KL. Bridging the hemispheres in meditation: thicker callosal regions and enhanced fractional anisotropy (FA) in long-term practitioners. Neuroimage 2012; 61:181-7. [PMID: 22374478 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings suggest a close link between long-term meditation practices and the structure of the corpus callosum. Prior analyses, however, have focused on estimating mean fractional anisotropy (FA) within two large pre-defined callosal tracts only. Additional effects might exist in other, non-explored callosal regions and/or with respect to callosal attributes not captured by estimates of FA. To further explore callosal features in the framework of meditation, we analyzed 30 meditators and 30 controls, carefully matched for sex, age, and handedness. We applied a multimodal imaging approach using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in combination with structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Callosal measures of tract-specific FA were complemented with other global (segment-specific) estimates as well as extremely local (point-wise) measures of callosal micro- and macro-structure. Callosal measures were larger in long-term meditators compared to controls, particularly in anterior callosal sections. However, differences achieved significance only when increasing the regional sensitivity of the measurement (i.e., using point-wise measures versus segment-specific measures) and were more prominent for microscopic than macroscopic characteristics (i.e., callosal FA versus callosal thickness). Thicker callosal regions and enhanced FA in meditators might indicate greater connectivity, possibly reflecting increased hemispheric integration during cerebral processes involving (pre)frontal regions. Such a brain organization might be linked to achieving characteristic mental states and skills as associated with meditation, though this hypothesis requires behavioral confirmation. Moreover, longitudinal studies are required to address whether the observed callosal effects are induced by meditation or constitute an innate prerequisite for the start or successful continuation of meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Luders
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7334, USA
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Moore A, Gruber T, Derose J, Malinowski P. Regular, brief mindfulness meditation practice improves electrophysiological markers of attentional control. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 6:18. [PMID: 22363278 PMCID: PMC3277272 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness-based meditation practices involve various attentional skills, including the ability to sustain and focus ones attention. During a simple mindful breathing practice, sustained attention is required to maintain focus on the breath while cognitive control is required to detect mind wandering. We thus hypothesized that regular, brief mindfulness training would result in improvements in the self-regulation of attention and foster changes in neuronal activity related to attentional control. A longitudinal randomized control group EEG study was conducted. At baseline (T1), 40 meditation naïve participants were randomized into a wait list group and a meditation group, who received three hours mindfulness meditation training. Twenty-eight participants remained in the final analysis. At T1, after eight weeks (T2) and after 16 weeks (T3), all participants performed a computerized Stroop task (a measure of attentional control) while the 64-channel EEG was recorded. Between T1 and T3 the meditators were requested to meditate daily for 10 min. Event-related potential (ERP) analysis highlighted two between group effects that developed over the course of the 16-week mindfulness training. An early effect at left and right posterior sites 160-240 ms post-stimulus indicated that meditation practice improved the focusing of attentional resources. A second effect at central posterior sites 310-380 ms post-stimulus reflects that meditation practice reduced the recruitment of resources during object recognition processes, especially for incongruent stimuli. Scalp topographies and source analyses (Variable Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography, VARETA) indicate relevant changes in neural sources, pertaining to left medial and lateral occipitotemporal areas for the early effect and right lateral occipitotemporal and inferior temporal areas for the later effect. The results suggest that mindfulness meditation may alter the efficiency of allocating cognitive resources, leading to improved self-regulation of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Moore
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool, UK
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Lehmann D, Faber PL, Tei S, Pascual-Marqui RD, Milz P, Kochi K. Reduced functional connectivity between cortical sources in five meditation traditions detected with lagged coherence using EEG tomography. Neuroimage 2012; 60:1574-86. [PMID: 22266174 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain functional states are established by functional connectivities between brain regions. In experienced meditators (13 Tibetan Buddhists, 15 QiGong, 14 Sahaja Yoga, 14 Ananda Marga Yoga, 15 Zen), 19-channel EEG was recorded before, during and after that meditation exercise which their respective tradition regards as route to the most desirable meditative state. The head surface EEG data were recomputed (sLORETA) into 19 cortical regional source model time series. All 171 functional connectivities between regions were computed as 'lagged coherence' for the eight EEG frequency bands (delta through gamma). This analysis removes ambiguities of localization, volume conduction-induced inflation of coherence, and reference-dependence. All significant differences (corrected for multiple testing) between meditation compared to no-task rest before and after meditation showed lower coherence during meditation, in all five traditions and eight (inhibitory as well as excitatory) frequency bands. Conventional coherence between the original head surface EEG time series very predominantly also showed reduced coherence during meditation. The topography of the functional connectivities was examined via PCA-based computation of principal connectivities. When going into and out of meditation, significantly different connectivities revealed clearly different topographies in the delta frequency band and minor differences in the beta-2 band. The globally reduced functional interdependence between brain regions in meditation suggests that interaction between the self process functions is minimized, and that constraints on the self process by other processes are minimized, thereby leading to the subjective experience of non-involvement, detachment and letting go, as well as of all-oneness and dissolution of ego borders during meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietrich Lehmann
- The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Lavallee CF, Hunter MD, Persinger MA. Intracerebral source generators characterizing concentrative meditation. Cogn Process 2011; 12:141-50. [DOI: 10.1007/s10339-011-0394-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Biesinger E, Kipman U, Schätz S, Langguth B. Qigong for the treatment of tinnitus: a prospective randomized controlled study. J Psychosom Res 2010; 69:299-304. [PMID: 20708452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2010.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2010] [Revised: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tinnitus is a frequent disorder which is very difficult to treat. Qigong is a mindful exercise and an important constituent of traditional Chinese medical practice. Here we performed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a Qigong intervention on patients with tinnitus. We hypothesized that especially tinnitus patients with somatosensoric components may benefit from the mind-body technique of Qigong. METHODS Eighty patients with tinnitus of at least 3 months duration were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=40) consisting of 10 Qigong training sessions in 5 weeks or a waiting-list control group (n=40). Tinnitus severity was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) and with a tinnitus questionnaire (TBF-12) before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 1 and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS Qigong did not cause any side effects and was completed by 80% of the assigned patients. Compared with the control group, Qigong participants experienced improvement in tinnitus severity, as reflected by a significant reduction in both the VAS and the TBF-12. In the subgroup of patients with somatosensoric tinnitus, Qigong effects were more pronounced, resulting in a highly significant improvement in both scales compared to the waiting-list group. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that Qigong interventions could be a useful complement to the therapeutic management of patients with tinnitus and especially for those with somatosensoric components. Satisfaction with the intervention, a high degree of completion, and stability of the effects for at least 3 months after the intervention further underscore the potential of Qigong in the treatment of tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eberhard Biesinger
- ENT-Clinic and Otolaryngology Department, Klinikum Traunstein, Traunstein, Germany
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Travis F, Shear J. Focused attention, open monitoring and automatic self-transcending: Categories to organize meditations from Vedic, Buddhist and Chinese traditions. Conscious Cogn 2010; 19:1110-8. [PMID: 20167507 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2010.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2008] [Revised: 01/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper proposes a third meditation-category--automatic self-transcending--to extend the dichotomy of focused attention and open monitoring proposed by Lutz. Automatic self-transcending includes techniques designed to transcend their own activity. This contrasts with focused attention, which keeps attention focused on an object; and open monitoring, which keeps attention involved in the monitoring process. Each category was assigned EEG bands, based on reported brain patterns during mental tasks, and meditations were categorized based on their reported EEG. Focused attention, characterized by beta/gamma activity, included meditations from Tibetan Buddhist, Buddhist, and Chinese traditions. Open monitoring, characterized by theta activity, included meditations from Buddhist, Chinese, and Vedic traditions. Automatic self-transcending, characterized by alpha1 activity, included meditations from Vedic and Chinese traditions. Between categories, the included meditations differed in focus, subject/object relation, and procedures. These findings shed light on the common mistake of averaging meditations together to determine mechanisms or clinical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred Travis
- Center for the Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, 1000 North 4th Street, Fairfield, IA 52557, United States.
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Cahn BR, Delorme A, Polich J. Occipital gamma activation during Vipassana meditation. Cogn Process 2010; 11:39-56. [PMID: 20013298 PMCID: PMC2812711 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-009-0352-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Long-term Vipassana meditators sat in meditation vs. a control rest (mind-wandering) state for 21 min in a counterbalanced design with spontaneous EEG recorded. Meditation state dynamics were measured with spectral decomposition of the last 6 min of the eyes-closed silent meditation compared to control state. Meditation was associated with a decrease in frontal delta (1-4 Hz) power, especially pronounced in those participants not reporting drowsiness during meditation. Relative increase in frontal theta (4-8 Hz) power was observed during meditation, as well as significantly increased parieto-occipital gamma (35-45 Hz) power, but no other state effects were found for the theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), or beta (12-25 Hz) bands. Alpha power was sensitive to condition order, and more experienced meditators exhibited no tendency toward enhanced alpha during meditation relative to the control task. All participants tended to exhibit decreased alpha in association with reported drowsiness. Cross-experimental session occipital gamma power was the greatest in meditators with a daily practice of 10+ years, and the meditation-related gamma power increase was similarly the strongest in such advanced practitioners. The findings suggest that long-term Vipassana meditation contributes to increased occipital gamma power related to long-term meditational expertise and enhanced sensory awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Rael Cahn
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite B-122, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Institute for Neural Computation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- CERCO, CNRS, Universite Paul Sabatier, 133 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - John Polich
- Cognitive Electrophysiology Laboratory, Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
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