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Cited by 354Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsNeural dynamics and brain functionPain Management and Placebo Effect

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 22 of the 22 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Increased Theta and Alpha EEG Activity During Nondirective Meditation

Lagopoulos, Jim, Xu, Jian, Rasmussen, Inge, Vik, Alexandra, Malhi, Gin S., Eliassen, Carl F., Arntsen, Ingrid E., Sæther, Jardar G., Hollup, Stig, Holen, Are, Davanger, Svend, Ellingsen, Øyvind·2009·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
DOI 10.1089/acm.2009.0113
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, there has been significant uptake of meditation and related relaxation techniques, as a means of alleviating stress and maintaining good health. Despite its popularity, little is known about the neural mechanisms by which meditation works, and there is a need for more rigorous investigations of the underlying neurobiology. Several electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have reported changes in spectral band frequencies during meditation inspired by techniques that focus on concentration, and in comparison much less has been reported on mindfulness and nondirective techniques that are proving to be just as popular. DESIGN: The present study examined EEG changes during nondirective meditation. The investigational paradigm involved 20 minutes of acem meditation, where the subjects were asked to close their eyes and adopt their normal meditation technique, as well as a separate 20-minute quiet rest condition where the subjects were asked to close their eyes and sit quietly in a state of rest. Both conditions were completed in the same experimental session with a 15-minute break in between. RESULTS: Significantly increased theta power was found for the meditation condition when averaged across all brain regions. On closer examination, it was found that theta was significantly greater in the frontal and temporal-central regions as compared to the posterior region. There was also a significant increase in alpha power in the meditation condition compared to the rest condition, when averaged across all brain regions, and it was found that alpha was significantly greater in the posterior region as compared to the frontal region. CONCLUSIONS: These findings from this study suggest that nondirective meditation techniques alter theta and alpha EEG patterns significantly more than regular relaxation, in a manner that is perhaps similar to methods based on mindfulness or concentration.

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Crossref · 10.1089/acm.2009.0113

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Aftanas LI, 2003, Fiziol Cheloveka, 29, 18
  2. Ellingsen O, 2008, Fighting Stress: Reviews of Meditation Research, 11
  3. Solberg E, 2004, Med Sci Monit, 10, CR96
  4. Kasamatsu A, 1966, Folia Psychiatr Neurol Jpn, 20, 315
  5. Faber P, 2004, International Society for Neuronal Regulation Winterthur Switzerland
  6. Westlund P, 2008, Fighting Stress: Reviews of Meditation Research, 129

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Metadata

Authors
Lagopoulos, J., Xu, J., Rasmussen, I., Vik, A., Malhi, G. S., Eliassen, C. F., Arntsen, I. E., Sæther, J. G., Hollup, S., Holen, A., Davanger, S., & Ellingsen, Ø.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
  • University of Oslo (NO)
Corresponding author
Lagopoulos, Jim
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2009-11
Volume
15
Issue
11
Pages
1187-1192
ISSN
  • 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7708
DOI
10.1089/acm.2009.0113
OpenAlex
W1998657013
Cited by
354
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 7
FWCI
5.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • National Medical Research Council
  • Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
Keywords
theta power, alpha power, mindfulness, relaxation, posterior brain regions
MeSH terms
Adult, Alpha Rhythm, Analysis of Variance, Brain, Electroencephalography, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Relaxation, Theta Rhythm, Meditation

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