Enhancing Mental Well-being: Efficacy and Neural Mechanisms of Leyi Training in Emotional and Cognitive Intervention

Leyi mental training, which combines relaxation, breathing, meditation, koan, and cognitive regulation, improved both emotion and cognition in practitioners. Electroencephalography and psychological scales showed significant enhancements after the intervention. The training may boost emotional regulation by increasing sensitivity to present experiences and strengthening cognitive control, allowing non-reactive attention to all stimuli regardless of emotional valence. It also helps allocate cognitive resources more effectively for current tasks.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Leyi mental training comprises physical and mental cultivation methods, such as relaxation, breathing, meditation, koan, and cognitive regulation, with the ultimate goal of achieving enlightenment. Over a decade of practical experience has demonstrated its potential to enhance individuals’ mental well-being. In our study, we employed EEG and psychological scales to investigate the efficacy of Leyi training in emotional and cognitive intervention, as well as its underlying neural mechanisms. The results revealed significant improvements in both emotion and cognition following the intervention. We propose that the effectiveness of Leyi training in emotional regulation may stem from the heightened sensitivity to present experiences and the robust cognitive control ability cultivated through the practice, which enables practitioners to allocate equal, non-reactive attention to all stimuli, regardless of their emotional valence. Moreover, this training facilitates more effective allocation of cognitive resources to deal with current tasks, thus improving cognitive abilities.