Reorganization of the brain and heart rhythm during autogenic meditation
Daekeun Kim, Jyoo-Hi Rhee, Seung Wan Kang
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience January 13, 2014 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2013.00109 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Adult participants practicing autogenic meditation |
| Intervention | Autogenic meditation |
| Duration | 3-minute epochs |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | During heart-coherent autogenic meditation, heart coherence scores increased significantly and alpha-band coherence and relative power rose, while high beta absolute power showed a near-significant decrease. The authors propose the alpha and high beta changes may reflect relaxation, and the increased coherence in bands above beta may reflect cortico-cortical local integration and cognitive reorganization. They note further research is needed to confirm heart coherence as a simple window for the meditative state. |
Abstract
The underlying changes in heart coherence that are associated with reported EEG changes in response to meditation have been explored. We measured EEG and heart rate variability (HRV) before and during autogenic meditation. Fourteen subjects participated in the study. Heart coherence scores were significantly increased during meditation compared to the baseline. We found near significant decrease in high beta absolute power, increase in alpha relative power and significant increases in lower (alpha) and higher (above beta) band coherence during 3~min epochs of heart coherent meditation compared to 3~min epochs of heart non-coherence at baseline. The coherence and relative power increase in alpha band and absolute power decrease in high beta band could reflect relaxation state during the heart coherent meditation. The coherence increase in the higher (above beta) band could reflect cortico-cortical local integration and thereby affect cognitive reorganization, simultaneously with relaxation. Further research is still needed for a confirmation of heart coherence as a simple window for the meditative state.
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
Cited by 15
- Dhyana yoga, the path of meditative being: Psychotherapeutic insights from the east. Asian Journal of Psychiatry June 1, 2025
- The Relationship and Mechanism Underlying the Effect of Conscious Breathing on the Autonomic Nervous System and Brain Waves Perspectives in Nursing Science 2017
- Reactivating a relaxation exercise during sleep to influence cortical hyperarousal in people with frequent nightmares – a randomized crossover trial bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) March 13, 2025
- Functional reorganization of the brain in distinct frequency bands during eyes-open meditation. Consciousness and Cognition October 28, 2023
- Increased neurocardiological interplay after mindfulness meditation: a brain oscillation-based approach Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 19, 2023
and 10 more in the library
Cites 17
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology June 1, 2011
- Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation Annals of Behavioral Medicine November 15, 2006
and 12 more in the library