Neurocognitive effects of guided moving meditation on divergent thinking and neural coherence in agri-entrepreneurs: An EEG study.
Pandit Rupesh, Sony Kumari, Parul Dubey, Raghuram Nagarathna, Dwivedi Krishna
Scientific Reports July 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-60086-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 54 |
| Population | Right-handed male agri-entrepreneurs aged 25-45 |
| Intervention | Guided Moving Meditation |
| Dose | 35 min/day, five days/week |
| Duration | 12-week intervention |
| Measures | Alternative Uses Task, EEG spectral analysis, coherence analysis |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Agri-entrepreneurs Beta-coherence Cortical activity Cortical coordination Creative cognition Guided moving meditation |
| Key findings | Guided moving meditation significantly improved creative cognition and altered frontotemporal neural activity and coordination in agri-entrepreneurs. |
Abstract
Creativity is a cornerstone of adaptive problem-solving and innovation, yet its neural basis remains insufficiently understood in real-world entrepreneurial contexts. This randomized controlled study investigated the influence of Guided Moving Meditation (GMM) on creative cognition and neural coordination in adult agri-entrepreneurs. Fifty-four right-handed male agri-entrepreneurs (25-45 years) were randomly assigned to the GMM group (n = 27) or a Supine Rest control group (SR; n = 27) for twelve weeks (35 min/day, five days/week). Creative cognition was evaluated using the Alternative Uses Task, and neural activity in frontotemporal regions was assessed using electroencephalography (EEG) in agri-entrepreneurs before and after the intervention. In the GMM group, EEG spectral analysis indicated significant reductions in delta, theta, and alpha power, along with significant increases in beta and gamma power, while coherence analysis revealed increased delta, theta, and alpha coherence and decreased beta coherence in the anterior frontal region. Exploratory mediation analyses using change scores (Δ PSD, Δ coherence, and Δ fluency) did not support a significant mediating role of beta-band coherence in the relationship between neural oscillatory changes and creative performance. In addition, behavioral results demonstrated significant gains in fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration following GMM. These findings suggest that GMM facilitates a neurophysiological state characterized by altered neural coordination and cognitive flexibility, which may be relevant to creative cognition in agri-entrepreneurs.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |