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.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A default mode of brain function Normal adult human brain | 2001 | Observational study | |
| Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational cohort | |
| 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 | |
| The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Breath-Body-Mind Core Techniques to Manage Medical Student Stress. Journal of medical education and curricular development 2023
- Exploring the effects of mindfulness meditation on resting-state functional connectivity: an overview. Reviews in the Neurosciences June 3, 2026
- New Evidence in the Booming Field of Online Mindfulness: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials JMIR Mental Health February 23, 2021
- Decrease of Functional Connectivity within the Default Mode Network by a Brief Training of Focused Attention on the Breath in Novices bioRxiv February 12, 2021
- A Critical Analysis on Characterizing the Meditation Experience Through the Electroencephalogram Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience August 7, 2020
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and 16 more in the library