The Consciousness State of Traditional Nidrâ Yoga/Modern Yoga Nidra: Phenomenological Characterization and Preliminary Insights from an EEG Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Zaccaro ◽  
André Riehl ◽  
Andrea Piarulli ◽  
Gaspare Alfì ◽  
Bruno Neri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rank Test ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Strong Concentration ◽  
Yogic Practice ◽  
Psychometric Data ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Early Increase ◽  
Gamma Power ◽  
Psychophysiological Correlates ◽  
Yoga Nidra

Nidrâ yoga is an ancient yogic practice capable of inducing altered states of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation, strong concentration, acute self-awareness, and joy. In modern contemplative neuroscience language, it is known by the name yoga nidra, and few studies have investigated its phenomenological and psychophysiological effects. Six healthy volunteers (four females aged 31–74) performed 12 yoga nidra sessions guided by an expert during a 6-day retreat. Each session consisted of 10 minutes in a resting state (baseline) followed by 2 hours of yoga nidra. Psychometric data regarding dissociative experiences (Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale) and the state of consciousness (Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory) were collected after baseline and yoga nidra, while high-density EEG was recorded during the entire session. During nidra sessions, no sleep hallmarks (i.e., K-complexes and sleep spindles) were detected by the EEG in any subject. Psychometric data we re analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test corrected with the false discovery rate approach for multiple comparisons. Compared to baseline, yoga nidra practice was related to: (1) increased dissociative effects (p = 0.022); (2) perception of being in an altered state of consciousness (p = 0.026); (3) alterations in perceived body image (p = 0.022); (4) increased “meaningfulness” attributed to the experience (p = 0.026); (5) reduced rational thinking (p = 0.029); and (6) reduced volitional thought control (p = 0.026). First-person experience is discussed in relation to descriptive EEG power spectral density analysis, which was performed in one subject because of severe EEG artifacts in the other recordings; that subject showed, compared to baseline: (1) early increase of alpha and beta power, followed by a progressive widespread reduction; (2) widespread early increase of theta power, followed by a progressive reduction; and (3) widespread increase of gamma power in the latest stages. The present preliminary results enrich the knowledge of yoga nidra, elucidating its phenomenology and suggesting some psychophysiological correlates that future studies may address.

scholarly journals ANALISIS KURVA SURVIVAL KAPLAN MEIER MENGGUNAKAN UJI LOG RANK (Studi Kasus :Pasien Penyakit Jantung Koroner di RSUD Undata Palu)

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-42
Author(s):  
Arianti Suhartini ◽  
Rita Rahmawati ◽  
Suparti Suparti
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Survival Curve ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Log Rank Test ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Central Sulawesi

Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world, including Indonesia. Based on doctor-diagnosed interviews, coronary heart disease’s prevalence in Indonesia on 2013 is 0,5% and based on a doctor-diagnosed is 1,5%. Central Sulawesi is ranked first and second for prevalence based on doctor-diagnosed interviews and doctor-diagnosed. The high number of people with coronary heart disease caused by lack of self-awareness in lifestyle changes. One of the parameters used to assess the success of treatment is the probability of survival. Survival analysis is a data analysis where the outcome of the variables studied is the time until an event occurs. This study raised the problem of survival of coronary heart patients at Undata Palu Hospital which is the main referral hospital for Central Sulawesi region. This research uses nonparametric method that is Kaplan Meier and Log Rank Test based on six factors are age, gender, stadium, disease status, complication and status of anemia. Nonparametric methods do not follow a particular distribution for survival time. Kaplan Meier's survival curve will describe the patient's characteristics of survival probability and followed by a Log Rank test to see if there are differences between curves. The result of analysis and discussion based on Log Rank test result showed that the factors of age, sex and disease status differ significantly. Keywords: Coronary heart disease, RSUD Undata Palu, Kaplan Meier analysis, Log Rank test.

Gamma Oscillations Index Sustained Attention in a Brief Vigilance Task

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 546-550
Author(s):  
Lorraine Borghetti ◽  
Megan B. Morris ◽  
L. Jack Rhodes ◽  
Ashley R. Haubert ◽  
Bella Z. Veksler
Keyword(s):  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Gamma Oscillations ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Theta Power ◽  
High Performers ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Gamma Power ◽  
Compensatory Effort

Sustained attention is an essential behavior in life, but often leads to performance decrements with time. Computational accounts of sustained attention suggest this is due to brief disruptions in goal-directed processing, or microlapses. Decreases in gamma spectral power are a potential candidate for indexing microlapses and discriminating between low and high performers in sustained attention tasks, while increases in beta, alpha, and theta power are expected to exhibit compensatory effort to offset fatigue. The current study tests these hypotheses in a 10-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test, a context that eliminates confounds with measuring gamma frequencies. 34 participants ( Mage = 22.60; SDage = 4.08) volunteered in the study. Results suggested frontal gamma power declined with time-on-task, indicating reduction in central cognition. Beta power increased with time-on-task, suggesting compensatory effort; however, alpha and theta power did not increase. Additionally, gamma power discriminated between low and high performers, potentially suggesting motivational differences between the groups.

Cortical oscillations to measure anti-epileptic drug activity in clinical trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Biondi ◽  
Lorenzo Rocchi ◽  
Viviana Santoro ◽  
Gregory Beatch ◽  
Pierre Rossini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
Brain Oscillations ◽  
Cortical Oscillations ◽  
Anti Epileptic Drug ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Gamma Power

Abstract The frequency analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, either spontaneous or evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS-EEG), is a powerful tool to investigate changes in brain activity and excitability following the administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, a systematic evaluation of the effect of AEDs on spontaneous and TMS-induced brain oscillations has not yet been provided. We studied the effects of lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and of a novel potassium channel opener (XEN1101) on TMS-induced and spontaneous brain oscillations in a group of healthy volunteers. Levetiracetam suppressed TMS-induced theta, alpha and beta power, whereas lamotrigine increased TMS-induced alpha power. XEN1101 decreased TMS-induced delta, theta and beta power. Resting-state EEG showed a decrease of theta band power after lamotrigine intake. Levetiracetam increased theta, beta and gamma power, while XEN1101 produced an increase of delta, theta, beta and gamma power. Different AEDs induce specific patterns of power changes in spontaneous and TMS-induced brain oscillations. Spontaneous and TMS-induced cortical oscillations represent a powerful tool to characterize the effect of AEDs on in vivo brain activity. Spectral fingerprints of specific AEDs should be further investigated to provide robust and objective biomarkers of biological effect in human clinical trials.

scholarly journals The neural correlates of two forms of spiritual love: an EEG study

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Louise Faber
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Gamma Oscillations ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Spiritual Practices ◽  
Loving Kindness ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Delta Activity ◽  
Gamma Power ◽  
The Brain

AbstractSpiritual practices are gaining an increasingly wider audience as a means to enhance positive affect in healthy individuals and to treat neurological disorders such as anxiety and depression. The current study aimed to examine the neural correlates of two different forms of love generated by spiritual practices using EEG; love generated during a loving kindness meditation performed by Buddhist meditators, and love generated during prayer, in a separate group of participants from a Christian-based faith. The loving kindness meditation was associated with significant increases in delta, alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta power compared to baseline, while prayer induced significant increases in power of alpha 1 and gamma oscillations, together with an increase in the gamma: theta ratio. An increase in delta activity occurred during the loving kindness meditation but not during prayer. In contrast increases in theta, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma power were observed when comparing both types of practice to baseline, suggesting that increases in these frequency bands are the neural correlates of spiritual love, independent of the type of practice used to attain the state of this type of love. These findings show that both spiritual love practices are associated with widespread changes in neural activity across the brain, in particular at frequency ranges that have been implicated in positive emotional experience, integration of distributed neural activity, and changes in short-term and longterm neural circuitry.

Supraspinal Anesthesia

2006 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Jugovac ◽  
Olga Imas ◽  
Anthony G. Hudetz
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Drug Distribution ◽  
Noxious Stimulation ◽  
Tail Pinch ◽  
Delta Power ◽  
Intracerebroventricular Infusion ◽  
Power Increase ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Gamma Power

Background Anesthetic endpoints of unconsciousness and immobility result from agent effects on both brain and spinal cord that are difficult to separate during systemic administration. To investigate cerebral mechanism of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, the authors studied behavioral and electrophysiologic effects of four anesthetics infused intracerebroventricularly to conscious rats. The authors aimed to produce progressively increasing anesthetic depths, indicated by electro-encephalographic synchronization and behavioral change. Methods During anesthesia, rats were equipped with intracerebroventricular infusion catheters, hind-paw stimulation, and epidural electrodes to record the electroencephalogram from the somatosensory cortex. Silicone bolus was injected into the fourth ventricle to minimize drug distribution to the spinal cord. 60 min later, 50-min infusion of pentobarbital (6.0 mg/h), fentanyl (0.75 microg/h), propofol (3.0 mg/h), or midazolam (0.24 mg/h) was initiated. Vibrissal, olfactory, corneal, and tail-pinch responses were tested every 10 min. Results All agents depressed vibrissal, olfactory, and corneal responses; propofol and pentobarbital produced the strongest effect. All agents except propofol depressed tail-pinch response; fentanyl and pentobarbital produced the strongest effect. All agents except midazolam increased delta power. Pentobarbital enhanced theta power. All agents except fentanyl enhanced alpha and beta power. Pentobarbital and midazolam slightly increased, whereas fentanyl decreased, gamma power. Pentobarbital increased and midazolam decreased somatosensory evoked potential; these changes were small and apparently unrelated to behavior. Conclusions Alpha and beta power increase may reflect sedative component of anesthesia. Simultaneous delta, alpha, and beta power increase may correlate with loss of consciousness. Theta and delta power increase may reflect surgical anesthesia. Opioid-induced gamma power decrease may reflect suppression of pain perception. Pentobarbital-, fentanyl-, and midazolam-induced immobility to noxious stimulation may be mediated supraspinally.

scholarly journals Interactions between motor thalamic field potentials and single unit spiking predict behavior in rats

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Gaidica ◽  
Amy Hurst ◽  
Christopher Cyr ◽  
Daniel K. Leventhal
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Spike Timing ◽  
Delta Phase ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
High Gamma ◽  
Gamma Power ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractThe thalamus plays a central role in generating circuit-level neural oscillations believed to coordinate brain activity over large spatiotemporal scales. Such thalamic influences are well-documented for sleep rhythms and in sensory systems, but the relationship between thalamic activity, motor circuit local field potential (LFP) oscillations, and behavior is unknown. We recorded wideband motor thalamic (Mthal) electrophysiology as healthy rats performed a two-alternative forced choice task. The power of delta (1−4 Hz), beta (13−30 Hz), low gamma (30−70 Hz), and high gamma (70−200 Hz) oscillations were strongly modulated by task performance. As in cortex, delta phase predicted beta/low gamma power and reaction time. Furthermore, delta phase differentially predicted spike timing in functionally distinct populations of Mthal neurons, which also predicted task performance and beta power. These complex relationships suggest mechanisms for commonly observed LFP-LFP and spike-LFP interactions, as well as subcortical influences on motor output.

scholarly journals Evaluating Acupuncture Point and Nonacupuncture Point Stimulation with EEG: A High-Frequency Power Spectrum Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-Ho Choi ◽  
O. Sang Kwon ◽  
Seong Jin Cho ◽  
Sanghun Lee ◽  
Suk-Yun Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Spectrum ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Acupuncture Point ◽  
High Frequency Power ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Gamma Power ◽  
Sensory Responses ◽  
High Beta ◽  
Frequency Power Spectrum ◽  
Frequency Power

To identify physical and sensory responses to acupuncture point stimulation (APS), nonacupuncture point stimulation (NAPS) and no stimulation (NS), changes in the high-frequency power spectrum before and after stimulation were evaluated with electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 37 healthy subjects received APS at the LI4 point, NAPS, or NS with their eyes closed. Background brain waves were measured before, during, and after stimulation using 8 channels. Changes in the power spectra of gamma waves and high beta waves before, during, and after stimulation were comparatively analyzed. After NAPS, absolute high beta power (AHBP), relative high beta power (RHBP), absolute gamma power (AGP), and relative gamma power (RGP) tended to increase in all channels. But no consistent notable changes were found for APS and NS. NAPS is believed to cause temporary reactions to stress, tension, and sensory responses of the human body, while APS responds stably compared to stimulation of other parts of the body.

Yoga as a Preventative and Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Campbell ◽  
Kathleen Moore
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Testing ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Spiritual Experience ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Breathing Techniques ◽  
Yoga Nidra ◽  
Yoga Practitioners

With the dual aims of better understanding the contribution of Yoga to positive mental health and exploring links between yogic philosophy and psychological theory,researchers at Deakin University in Melbourne,Australia, conducted a study on Yoga as a preventative and treatment for symptoms of mental illness. The Yoga classes were designed as a six-week program incorporating breathing techniques (prânâyâma), exercises for strength, vitality, and flexibility (âsanas), guided relaxation(yoga-nidrâ), and meditation. The aim of this process was to enhance self-awareness, encourage the perspective that emotional states are somewhat transient,and encourage a self-accepting and calm attitude through concentrating on synchronizing gentle movements and breathing. By developing calmness, selfacceptance,a balanced perspective, and enhanced concentration it was hypothesized that participants in the six-week Yoga program would strengthen their resistance to emotional distress. Psychometric testing was carried out to assess symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression across three groups: regular Yoga practitioners,beginners entering the program, and people who did not practice Yoga, and these tests were re-administered after six weeks. In addition, a strong sense of intrinsic spiritual experience has been cited as a possible buffer to stress, anxiety, and depression and has been associated with decreased frequency of medical symptoms. All participants were therefore also assessed on their sense of intrinsic spirituality, but not on religious beliefs. At the end of six weeks, the Yoga beginners group showed lower average levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety,and stress than at commencement, but levels were stable for regular Yoga practitioners and people who did not practice Yoga. In addition, beginners showed growth in their self-reported level of intrinsic spiritual experience.

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