Dynamic Alterations of EEG Oscillations and Networks from Resting to Deep Meditation
Meiyun Wang, Shanbao Tong, Xiaoli Guo, Menglin Guo, Xu Wang, Ting Xue, Zhuo Wang, Hangdao Li, Tianjiao Xu, Bin He, Dong-Hong Cui
2019 12th International Congress on Image and Signal Processing, BioMedical Engineering and Informatics October 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1109/cisp-bmei48845.2019.8965722 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Experienced Tibetan Buddhism meditators |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Delta power decreased and delta network transitivity increased immediately after meditation began, while beta and gamma power and gamma network clustering coefficient and global efficiency increased during deep meditation. The authors argue that meditation is a time-varying process in which deep meditation is a distinct substage characterized by high-frequency EEG oscillations and more small-world-like brain networks. |
Abstract
Meditation is a progressive process in which meditators may experience different stages to finally reach a deep meditation state. However, the temporal-dynamic process of meditation remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 38 experienced Tibetan Buddhism meditators to explore the dynamic process from resting to deep meditation from the aspects of EEG oscillations and networks. We found that the delta power was reduced and the transitivity of the delta network was increased immediately after the start of meditation. Then, the beta and gamma power increased, and the clustering coefficient and global efficiency of the gamma network increased at the deep meditation substage. Our results suggested that the participants entered into a wakeful and non-judgmental state immediately after the start of meditation, and then achieved a more efficient information processing and transferring only at a deep meditation state. Our study showed that meditation was a time-varying process, deep meditation was a different substage dominated by high frequency EEG oscillations and more small-world like brain networks.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience March 26, 2018
- Decreased electrophysiological activity represents the conscious state of emptiness in meditation Frontiers in Psychology 2014
- Meditation is associated with increased brain network integration. Neuroimage September 1, 2017
- The Effect of Meditation on Self-Reported Measures of Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Perfectionism in a College Population Journal of College Student Psychotherapy March 31, 2011
and 12 more in the library