scholarly journals Mindfulness Training Alters Resting-State EEG Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-scan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hei-Yin Hydra Ng ◽  
Changwei W. Wu ◽  
Feng-Ying Huang ◽  
Yu-Ting Cheng ◽  
Shiao-Fei Guu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Body Scan ◽  
Spectral Changes ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Internal Processing

AbstractMindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) 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. Specifically, the spectral powers of scalp electroencephalography (EEG) of the MBSR group who underwent an 8-week mindfulness training—including mindful breathing and body-scan—were evaluated and compared with those of the waitlist controls. Empirical results indicated that the long-term mindfulness intervention effect 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 EEG spectral powers at both delta and gamma bands among trained participants. 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. This study elaborated the neurophysiological correlates of mindfulness practices, suggesting that MBSR might function as a unique internal processing that involves increased vigilant capability and induces alterations similar to other cognitive training.

scholarly journals Mindfulness Training Associated With Resting-State Electroencephalograms Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-Scan

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hei-Yin Hydra Ng ◽  
Changwei W. Wu ◽  
Feng-Ying Huang ◽  
Yu-Ting Cheng ◽  
Shiao-Fei Guu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Body Scan ◽  
Spectral Changes ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
Internal Processing

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.

scholarly journals Differing Spontaneous Brain Activity in Healthy Adults with Two Different Body Constitutions: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 951
Author(s):  
Ching-Hsiung Liu ◽  
Yen-Ying Kung ◽  
Tzu-Chen Yeh ◽  
Pei-Shan Hsu ◽  
Ching-Ju Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Spontaneous Brain Activity ◽  
Body Constitution ◽  
Postcentral Gyrus

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners assess body constitution (BC) as a treatment basis for maintaining body homeostasis. We investigated patterns in spontaneous brain activity in different BC groups using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and determined the relationship between these patterns and quality of life (QOL). Thirty-two healthy individuals divided into two groups (body constitution questionnaire (BCQ)-gentleness [BCQ-G] and BCQ-deficiency [BCQ-D]) based on the body constitution questionnaire (BCQ) underwent rsfMRI to analyze regional homogeneity (ReHo) and the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments (brief edition) scale was used to evaluate the QOL. The BCQ-G group (n = 18) had significantly greater ReHo values in the right postcentral gyrus and lower ALFF values in the brainstem than the BCQ-D group (n = 14). In the BCQ-D group, decreased ReHo of the postcentral gyrus correlated with better physiological functioning; increased ALFF in the brainstem correlated with poor QOL. BCQ-subgroup analysis revealed a nonsignificant correlation between ReHo and Yang deficiency/phlegm and stasis (Phl & STA). Nonetheless, the BCQ-D group showed a positive correlation between ALFF and Phl & STA in the parahippocampus. This study identified differences between BCQ-G and BCQ-D types of healthy adults based on the rsfMRI analysis. The different BCQ types with varied brain endophenotypes may elucidate individualized TCM treatment strategies.

Resting State Brain Activity During Long-Term Dry Immersion

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (7) ◽  
pp. 642-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan E. Lazarev ◽  
Elena S. Tomilovskaya ◽  
Inesa B. Kozlovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Dry Immersion

scholarly journals Exploring the Relationship Between Subjective Ratings of Mindfulness Practices and Outcomes in Patients Participating in an MBSR Program

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolò F. Bernardi ◽  
Qinyi Zhao ◽  
Patricia L Dobkin
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
The Body ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Dispositional Mindfulness ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Body Scan ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Medical Symptoms

Objectives: The present study explored relationships between outcomes of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and the importance attributed by patients to the mindfulness practices taught.Methods: Patients with chronic illnesses (46.8% breast cancer; N=126) completed questionnaires pertaining to medical symptoms, stress, and mindfulness, pre- and post-MBSR.  At program completion, each patient rated the importance of the mindfulness practices employed.  Stepwise linear regression analyses were run to investigate associations between changes in outcome variables and subjective ratings of practice importance.Results: Increases in mindfulness were associated with high ratings of importance for sitting meditation (p LT 0.02) and homework manual (p LT 0.02; Adjusted R2 = 0.10). Decreases in medical symptoms were associated with high ratings for the body scan (p LT 0.01) and small group exercises (p LT 0.01; Adjusted R2 = 0.13). High ratings for the body scan were moderately, albeit significantly, correlated with decreases in perceived stress (p LT 0.01, Adjusted R2 = 0.05). A cluster analysis performed on all 10 of the ratings of practice importance showed that greater importance was associated with better outcomes for all three dependent variables (p LT 0.01).  A qualitative examination of patients’ answers to open-ended questions revealed that incorporating mindfulness practices in daily life was a central component of the lifestyle changes experienced during the course of the program.Conclusions: Understanding the mechanisms underlying MBSR’s effectiveness is important as this program becomes recognized as an empirically-supported intervention. These results suggest that specific types of practice (concentration vs. the body scan) are related to distinct outcomes (dispositional mindfulness vs. medical symptoms, respectively). Overall, awareness of the importance of practicing is connected to actual program outcomes.

Chinese Classical Dancers Have Improved Spontaneous Activity in Visual Brain Areas

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Rou Wen ◽  
Lijuan Hou ◽  
Jilong Shi ◽  
Mi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Classical Dance ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Dance Training ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Professional Dancers

Abstract. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies demonstrate that long-term exercise or dance training may cause changes in brain structure and function. However, the changes of neurofunction in the long-term practitioners of Chinese classical dance are still unclear. The purpose of the study is to explore the neurofunctional alterations associated with long-term Chinese classical dance training. Thirty female college students were selected, 15 students majoring in Chinese classical dance (average training years = 9.73 ± 1.75 years) and 15 education-matched non-dancer students with no previous experience of regular dance training. In this cross-sectional design, the resting-state fMRI data were acquired only once to observe the structural and functional changes of the brain. Compared with non-dancers, professional dancers had no significant difference in the total volume of whole brain, gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. While in professional dancers, we found increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the left superior occipital gyrus, right Cuneus, and left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex (Calcarine); increased fractional ALFF and regional homogeneity in the right Calcarine, indicating the increase of spontaneous brain activity in these brain areas. Since these brain areas are related to visual cognitive function, the results suggest that long-term Chinese classical dance training is associated with increased spontaneous regional brain activity in the visual areas. This may be closely related to the specific characteristics of Chinese classical dance and long-term professional training.

Electroencephalographic Evidence on the Strategies of Adaptation to the Factors of Monotony

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena V. Aslanyan ◽  
Valery N. Kiroy
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
The State ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Lability ◽  
Occupational Selection ◽  
The Brain

In a series of studies, in which 19 apparently healthy male volunteers participated, on the basis of a comparative analysis of the bioelectric brain activity and work performance, it is shown that two strategies of adaptation to the factors of monotony are possible. One of them is based on the maintenance of a high quality of activity even at the price of a considerable reduction in the functional state of the brain; the second is based on the maintenance of the functional status of the brain even at the expense of the short-term loss of control over realizable performance. The factor conditioning the long term inability to support continual high quality of performance under the conditions of monotony is a high lability in nervous processes. The resistance to the effects of the factors of monotony is connected, on the other hand, with the low lability of nervous processes with a certain predominance of excitatory processes over inhibiting processes. The electrographic correlates of the development of the state of monotony represent an increase in the EEG of an alert person of the slow spectra (theta and alpha), and also beta-2 waves, as well as a reduction in the intrahemispheric coherence of alpha-waves. These results can be used for the development of control systems for the state of the operators who work in conditions of monotony (pilots, the operators of electric trains, the operators of power plants, including atomic power plants, and others), as well as in the occupational selection of individuals for jobs involving work under such conditions.

scholarly journals Fibromyalgia Detection Based on EEG Connectivity Patterns

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3277
Author(s):  
Ramón Martín-Brufau ◽  
Manuel Nombela Gómez ◽  
Leyre Sanchez-Sanchez-Rojas ◽  
Cristina Nombela
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Roc Analysis ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Source Analysis ◽  
Bioelectrical Activity ◽  
Connectivity Patterns ◽  
Eeg Connectivity

Objective: The identification of a complementary test to confirm the diagnosis of FM. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM) is based on clinical features, but there is still no consensus, so patients and clinicians might benefit from such a test. Recent findings showed that pain lies in neuronal bases (pain matrices) and, in the long term, chronic pain modifies the activity and dynamics of brain structures. Our hypothesis is that patients with FM present lower levels of brain activity and therefore less connectivity than controls. Methods: We registered the resting state EEG of 23 patients with FM and compared them with 23 control subjects’ resting state recordings from the PhysioBank database. We measured frequency, amplitude, and functional connectivity, and conducted source localization (sLORETA). ROC analysis was performed on the resulting data. Results: We found significant differences in brain bioelectrical activity at rest in all analyzed bands between patients and controls, except for Delta. Subsequent source analysis provided connectivity values that depicted a distinct profile, with high discriminative capacity (between 91.3–100%) between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients with FM show a distinct neurophysiological pattern that fits with the clinical features of the disease.

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