The Effect of Juingong Meditation on the Theta to Alpha Ratio in the Temporoparietal and Anterior Frontal EEG Recordings.
Joohyun Kim, Miji Kim, Miran Jang, Junyeop Lee
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health February 2, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031721 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Participants from the Hanmaum Seon Center in Korea |
| Interventions | Juingong meditation instructed mind wandering |
| Measures | theta/alpha index |
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Electroencephalography Republic of korea Brainwave Juingong meditation |
| Key findings | During Juingong meditation, alpha power was relatively higher than theta power, with the authors reporting this result as valid in the temporal parietal lobe channel. They conclude that the theta/alpha ratio changes without delay, suggesting an immediate effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns. |
Abstract
(1)
Background: The effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns has not been explored yet. This study aimed to study the changes in brainwave patterns produced by Juingong meditation, through electroencephalography (EEG) measurements. (2)
Methods: The study included 23 participants from the Hanmaum Seon Center in Korea. EEG measurements were performed using InteraXon's four-channel EEG measurement equipment, Muse. It measures EEG patterns in the temporoparietal and anterior frontal lobes. Brainwaves were measured in two different states: when Juingong meditation was practiced and when instructed mind wandering (IMW) was practiced. The EEG recordings were analyzed using the theta/alpha index. (3)
Results: In the Juingong meditation state, the power of alpha was relatively higher than that of theta and these results were valid in the temporal parietal lobe channel. This indicates that relatively more alpha waves were induced in the temporal parietal lobe when Juingong meditation was practiced. (4)
Conclusions: When Juingong meditation is practiced, the theta/alpha ratio changes without delay, which means that the practical effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns is immediately apparent.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Alpha-Theta Correlations during the Different States of the Brain for a Designed Cognitive Task International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Research June 30, 2023
- Effect of Simplified Kundalini Yoga Meditation on Engineering Students: An EEG Study Indian Journal of Science and Technology June 27, 2022
- The Neuroscience of Religious and Spiritual Practices: A Systematic Review of Neurotheological Evidence Brain and Behavior August 30, 2026
- A Wearable Brain-Computer Interface for Mitigating Car Sickness via Attention Shifting. Advanced Science April 1, 2026
- Electroencephalographic neural correlates and deep learning analysis of a single brief focused mindfulness meditation in young adults: A pilot study. Digital health 2025
and 1 more in the library
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- Brain activity in near-death experiencers during a meditative state Resuscitation July 2, 2009
- “Reality†of near-death-experience memories: evidence from a psychodynamic and electrophysiological integrated study Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 19, 2014
- Neurophenomenology of near-death experience memory in hypnotic recall: a within-subject EEG study. Scientific Reports October 1, 2019
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