Frontal Electroencephalography Asymmetry and Desynchronized Functional Connectivity Associated with Long-Term and Short-Term Breathing Training
Hei-Yin Hydra Ng, Ai-Ling Hsu, Wu Cc, Chih-Mao Huang, Yi-Ping Chao, Tzyy-Ping Jung, Chun-Hsiang Chuang
Mindfulness 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02734-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Two studies: longitudinal controlled trial and cross-sectional experiment Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 82 |
| Population | Participants in breathing training studies |
| Interventions | Mindfulness training Passive guided breathing Active breath counting |
| Duration | 8-week intervention for Study 1; single session for Study 2 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Functional connectivity Breathing exercises Training meteorology Audiology Empathy Diaphragmatic breathing |
| Registration | NCT06656741 |
| Key findings | Long-term breathing training reduced delta and alpha functional connectivity in the left frontal region; short-term breath counting reduced gamma functional connectivity in the left frontal region. |
Abstract
Breathing training is a common intervention in self-help training and mindfulness practices. The positive effects on mental health are likely because of the development of emotion regulation. Neuroscientific evidence has shown that emotion regulation can be based on approach or withdrawal motivation, characterized by neurological frontal asymmetry. This study examined the role of emotion regulation in long- versus short-term breathing training with electroencephalography-based asymmetric frontal functional connectivity and spectral power evidence in two studies. Study 1 investigated the long-term effects of an 8-week mindfulness training. Study 2 explored neural changes associated with two common breathing training styles: passive guided breathing and active breath counting. Study 1 analyzed data from 31 participants (mindfulness group n = 17, control group n = 14) who either completed the 8-week mindfulness training or served as controls to examine the neural long-term effects. Study 2 involved 51 participants in a cross-sectional experiment after practicing different breathing training styles, which were delivered through a virtual reality platform. We calculated atlas-based functional connectivity and evaluated differences between long and short term. Study 1 revealed that the long-term breathing training practitioners exhibited significantly reduced delta and alpha functional connectivity, mainly in the left frontal region. Study 2 found that participants practicing breath counting exhibited significantly reduced gamma functional connectivity in the left frontal region. The prominence of left frontal functional connectivity highlights the involvement of approach motivation in emotion regulation during breathing practices. This study underscores the potential for short-term breathing training and digital platforms for practical applications in mindfulness and emotion regulation. Study 1 was not preregistered. Study 2 was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Number: NCT06656741; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06656741 ).