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An observation on flash evoked cortical potentials and Qigong meditation.

W Zhang, R Zheng, B Zhang, W Yu, X Shen

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 1993 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x93000285 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 48
Population Adults: 14 experienced Neiyang Gong practitioners, 12 short-term Neiyang Gong practitioners, 11 non-practitioner controls, and 11 other Qigong practitioners
Interventions Qigong meditation Neiyang Gong
Measures flash visual evoked potentials (F-VEPs)
Topics Meditation
Keywords Cerebral cortex Humans Electroencephalography Medicine, chinese traditional Breathing exercises Evoked potentials, visual Light Adult Middle aged Female Relaxation therapy
Key findings F-VEP amplitudes increased during Qigong meditation in experienced Neiyang Gong practitioners and decreased in other Qigong practitioners, with no significant changes in short-term practitioners or controls. The authors conclude that Qigong meditation may exert facilitative or inhibitory effects on the visual cortex depending on the Qigong method practiced.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional state of the cerebral cortex during Qigong meditation with flash visual evoked potentials (F-VEPs) recorded from the occipital scalp in four groups of adults. The first group included 14 subjects who had exercised in Neiyang Gong for 0.5-5.5 years. The second group was composed of 12 subjects who had practiced Neiyang Gong for only 0.5-3 months. Eleven subjects who had never practiced Qigong before made up the third group and served as control. Eleven Qigong practitioners constituted the fourth group. It was found that F-VEP amplitudes were increased in the first group and decreased in the fourth group with the exception of one subject during Qigong meditation. No significant changes were found in the second group and controls. The results were discussed and it is shown that Qigong mediation may have either facilitative or inhibitory effects on the visual cortex depending on the Qigong methods practiced by different individuals.

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

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