Entrainment of chaotic activities in brain and heart during MBSR mindfulness training.
Junling Gao, Jicong Fan, B. W. Wu, Zhiguo Zhang, Chunqi Chang, Y. Hung, P. Fung, H. Sik
Neuroscience Letters March 11, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.01.001 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training alters electrical activity in the brain and heart, making them more coordinated. During an 8-week standard MBSR course, EEG recordings showed increased alpha and beta wave power and decreased delta wave power compared to normal rest. Wavelet entropy analysis indicated that MBSR meditation reduces chaotic activity in both EEG and heart rate as a temporary state change, though longer training may be needed for lasting trait changes. For the first time, the data demonstrated that chaotic brain and heart activities become more coordinated during MBSR, suggesting mindfulness enhances mind-body entrainment. Specific 3D brain regions involved in these mental state changes were identified.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training reduces chaotic activity in EEG and heart rate and increases their coordination. |
Abstract
The activities of the brain and the heart are dynamic, chaotic, and possibly intrinsically coordinated. This study aims to investigate the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on the chaoticity of electronic activities of the brain and the heart, and to explore their potential correlation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded at the beginning of an 8-week standard MBSR training course and after the course. EEG spectrum analysis was carried out, wavelet entropies (WE) of EEG (together with reconstructed cortical sources) and heart rate were calculated, and their correlation was investigated. We found enhancement of EEG power of alpha and beta waves and lowering of delta waves power during MBSR training state as compared to normal resting state. Wavelet entropy analysis indicated that MBSR mindfulness meditation could reduce the chaotic activities of both EEG and heart rate as a change of state. However, longitudinal change of trait may need more long-term training. For the first time, our data demonstrated that the chaotic activities of the brain and the heart became more coordinated during MBSR training, suggesting that mindfulness training may increase the entrainment between mind and body. The 3D brain regions involved in the change in mental states were identified.