%0 Journal Article
%T Meditation-type specific reduction in infra-slow activity of electroencephalogram.
%A Sihn D
%A Kim J
%A Kim SP
%J Biomed Eng Lett
%V 14
%N 4
%D 2024 Jul
%M 38946818
%F 3.92
%R 10.1007/s13534-024-00377-0
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Meditation is renowned for its positive effects on cognitive abilities and stress reduction. It has been reported that the amplitude of electroencephalographic (EEG) infra-slow activity (ISA, < 0.1 Hz) is reduced as the stress level decreases. Consequently, we aimed to determine if EEG ISA amplitude decreases as a result of meditation practice across various traditions.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>To this end, we analyzed an open dataset comprising EEG data acquired during meditation sessions from experienced practitioners in the Vipassana tradition-which integrates elements of focused attention and open monitoring, akin to mindfulness meditation-and in the Himalayan Yoga and Isha Shoonya traditions, which emphasize focused attention and open monitoring, respectively.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A general trend was observed where EEG ISA amplitude tended to decrease in experienced meditators from these traditions compared to novices, particularly significant in the 0.03-0.08 Hz band for Vipassana meditators. Therefore, our analysis focused on this ISA frequency band. Specifically, a notable decrease in EEG ISA amplitude was observed in Vipassana meditators, predominantly in the left-frontal region. This reduction in EEG ISA amplitude was also accompanied by a decrease in phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between the ISA phase and alpha band (8-12 Hz) amplitude, which implied decreased neural excitability fluctuations.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Our findings suggest that not only does EEG ISA amplitude decrease in experienced meditators from traditions that incorporate both focused attention and open monitoring, but this decrease may also signify a diminished influence of neural excitability fluctuations attributed to ISA.