Effects of an Online Mind-Body Training Program on the Default Mode Network: An EEG Functional Connectivity Study.
Dasom Lee, Do‐hyung Kang, Na-Hyun Ha, Chang-Young Oh, Ulsoon Lee, Seung Wan Kang
Scientific Reports November 16, 2018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34947-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort with a control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Female healthcare providers |
| Intervention | Online mind-body training program |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Key findings | The intervention group showed significant reductions in anxiety and trait anger accompanied by increased global DMN network strengths in theta and alpha frequency bands, while the control group showed no such changes. |
Abstract
Online mind-body training (MBT) programs can improve the psychological capabilities of practitioners. Although there has been a lot of effort to understand the neural mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of meditation, little is known about changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) functional connectivity that accompany mind-body training. The present study aimed to investigate how an online MBT program alters EEG functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN). We assessed a group of healthcare providers, including 14 females who participated in the 4-week MBT program and 15 females who underwent a 4-week of waiting period. EEG data and information about psychological states were obtained at baseline and 4 weeks. The result was that the intervention group showed significant reductions in anxiety and trait anger that were accompanied by increased global DMN network strengths in the theta and alpha (but not beta and delta) frequency bands; these changes were not observed in the control group. Other variables including state anger, positive and negative affect, and self-esteem have not been changed over time in both groups. These findings suggest that practicing the mind-body training could have a relevance to the functional differences in network related to stress and anxiety reaction.