Study of Comparative Study of ECG Changes during Various Stages of Meditation and Rest
Gitanjali Gitanjali, Ayushi Ayushi, Vijay Kumar Singh
International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Review and Research June 30, 2026 DOI: 10.25258/ijcpr.18.6.296 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Comparative observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy adult participants experienced in meditation practices |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Heart rate variability Autonomic nervous system Electrocardiography Qt interval Qrs complex Blood pressure Cardiology Relaxation psychology Rr interval Parasympathetic nervous system Vagal tone |
| Key findings | Meditation reduces heart rate and increases heart rate variability, with deep meditation showing the most pronounced parasympathetic dominance and cardiovascular relaxation. |
Abstract
Background: Meditation is widely recognized for its beneficial effects on physical and mental health, particularly through modulation of the autonomic nervous system. Electrocardiography (ECG) provides a non-invasive method to assess cardiac electrical activity and autonomic balance. This study aims to compare ECG changes occurring during different stages of meditation with those observed during normal resting conditions.
Objectives: To evaluate and compare ECG parameters during pre-meditation rest, active meditation, deep meditation, and post-meditation rest, and to determine the influence of meditation on cardiac autonomic regulation.
Methods: A comparative observational study was conducted on healthy adult participants experienced in meditation practices. ECG recordings were obtained during four phases: baseline rest, early meditation, deep meditation, and post-meditation rest. Parameters analyzed included heart rate (HR), RR interval, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and heart rate variability (HRV). Statistical analysis was performed to compare changes across different stages.
Results: Meditation was associated with a significant reduction in heart rate and an increase in RR interval compared to baseline rest. Enhanced heart rate variability was observed during deep meditation, indicating increased parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic influence. Minor changes in PR, QRS, and QT intervals were noted but remained within normal physiological limits. Post-meditation recordings demonstrated sustained autonomic relaxation effects compared to pre-meditation resting values.
Conclusion: Different stages of meditation produce distinct ECG changes characterized primarily by reduced heart rate and increased autonomic stability. Deep meditation showed the most pronounced effects, suggesting enhanced parasympathetic dominance and cardiovascular relaxation. These findings support the role of meditation as a beneficial practice for improving cardiac autonomic function and overall cardiovascular health.
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 |