EEG Brain Activity in Dynamic Health Qigong Training: Same Effects for Mental Practice and Physical Training?

Diana Henz,Wolfgang I Schöllhorn

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00154

Diana Henz, Wolfgang I Schöllhorn

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00154

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Abstract

In recent years, there has been significant uptake of meditation and related relaxation techniques, as a means of alleviating stress and fostering an attentive mind. Several electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have reported changes in spectral band frequencies during Qigong meditation indicating a relaxed state. Much less is reported on effects of brain activation patterns induced by Qigong techniques involving bodily movement. In this study, we tested whether (1) physical Qigong training alters EEG theta and alpha activation, and (2) mental practice induces the same effect as a physical Qigong training. Subjects performed the dynamic Health Qigong technique Wu Qin Xi (five animals) physically and by mental practice in a within-subjects design. Experimental conditions were randomized. Two 2-min (eyes-open, eyes-closed) EEG sequences under resting conditions were recorded before and immediately after each 15-min exercise. Analyses of variance were performed for spectral power density data. Increased alpha power was found in posterior regions in mental practice and physical training for eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Theta power was increased after mental practice in central areas in eyes-open conditions, decreased in fronto-central areas in eyes-closed conditions. Results suggest that mental, as well as physical Qigong training, increases alpha activity and therefore induces a relaxed state of mind. The observed differences in theta activity indicate different attentional processes in physical and mental Qigong training. No difference in theta activity was obtained in physical and mental Qigong training for eyes-open and eyes-closed resting state. In contrast, mental practice of Qigong entails a high degree of internalized attention that correlates with theta activity, and that is dependent on eyes-open and eyes-closed resting state.

Highlights

Eastern meditation techniques are a common integral part in everyday life as a means to alleviate working stress, and fostering an attentive mind
Post hoc comparisons showed that in mental practice theta activity was decreased in the eyes-closed condition compared to physical training, p = 0.007, video control, p = 0.021, and baseline rest, p = 0.015
Most studies report an increase in EEG frontal theta and shift of alpha activity from posterior to anterior regions during and after Qigong meditation

Summary

Introduction

Eastern meditation techniques are a common integral part in everyday life as a means to alleviate working stress, and fostering an attentive mind. Research on meditative Qigong practice demonstrates beneficial effects on health (for an overview see Ng and Tsang, 2009). Positive effects of Qigong practice on mental health could be demonstrated in major depression (Tsang et al, 2003; Wang C.W. et al, 2013; Wang F. et al, 2013; Yeung et al, 2013; Yin and Dishman, 2014; Liu et al, 2015; Martinez et al, 2015), anxiety disorders (Lee et al, 2004a,b; Abbott and Lavretsky, 2013; Chan et al, 2013), posttraumatic disorders (Grodin et al, 2008; Kim et al, 2013), in the burnout syndrome (Stenlund et al, 2009, 2012), and in tinnitus (Biesinger et al, 2010). A stress alleviating and relaxing effect in healthy subjects (Lee et al, 2005; Posadzki et al, 2010; Terjestam et al, 2010; Glei et al, 2012; Sousa et al, 2012; Hwang et al, 2013; Shim, 2014; Wang et al, 2014) was shown

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