Increased Theta and Alpha EEG Activity During Nondirective Meditation

Jim Lagopoulos · Jian Xu · Alexandra Vik · Gin Singh Malhi · Carl Fredrik Eliassen · Ingrid Arntsen +5 more

354 citations0/0 files storedThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Neural dynamics and brain function Pain Management and Placebo Effect

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, there has been significant uptake of meditation and related relaxation techniques, as a means of alleviating stress and maintaining good health. Despite its popularity, little is known about the neural mechanisms by which meditation works, and there is a need for more rigorous investigations of the underlying neurobiology. Several electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have reported changes in spectral band frequencies during meditation inspired by techniques that focus on concentration, and in comparison much less has been reported on mindfulness and nondirective techniques that are proving to be just as popular. DESIGN: The present study examined EEG changes during nondirective meditation. The investigational paradigm involved 20 minutes of acem meditation, where the subjects were asked to close their eyes and adopt their normal meditation technique, as well as a separate 20-minute quiet rest condition where the subjects were asked to close their eyes and sit quietly in a state of rest. Both conditions were completed in the same experimental session with a 15-minute break in between. RESULTS: Significantly increased theta power was found for the meditation condition when averaged across all brain regions. On closer examination, it was found that theta was significantly greater in the frontal and temporal-central regions as compared to the posterior region. There was also a significant increase in alpha power in the meditation condition compared to the rest condition, when averaged across all brain regions, and it was found that alpha was significantly greater in the posterior region as compared to the frontal region. CONCLUSIONS: These findings from this study suggest that nondirective meditation techniques alter theta and alpha EEG patterns significantly more than regular relaxation, in a manner that is perhaps similar to methods based on mindfulness or concentration.

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2003Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation 2014Mindfulness and psychotherapy 2000Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation 2007Differential engagement of anterior cingulate and adjacent medial frontal cortex in adept meditators and non-meditators 2001The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during the complex cognitive task of meditation: a preliminary SPECT study 2004Changes in EEG and autonomic nervous activity during meditation and their association with personality traits

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