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. 2018 Nov 16;8(1):16935.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-34947-x.

Effects of an Online Mind-Body Training Program on the Default Mode Network: An EEG Functional Connectivity Study

Dasom Lee  1 , Do-Hyung Kang  1   2   3 , Na-Hyun Ha  4 , Chang-Young Oh  4 , Ulsoon Lee  4 , Seung Wan Kang  5   6
Affiliations

Effects of an Online Mind-Body Training Program on the Default Mode Network: An EEG Functional Connectivity Study

Dasom Lee et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Online mind-body training (MBT) programs can improve the psychological capabilities of practitioners. Although there has been a lot of effort to understand the neural mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of meditation, little is known about changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) functional connectivity that accompany mind-body training. The present study aimed to investigate how an online MBT program alters EEG functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN). We assessed a group of healthcare providers, including 14 females who participated in the 4-week MBT program and 15 females who underwent a 4-week of waiting period. EEG data and information about psychological states were obtained at baseline and 4 weeks. The result was that the intervention group showed significant reductions in anxiety and trait anger that were accompanied by increased global DMN network strengths in the theta and alpha (but not beta and delta) frequency bands; these changes were not observed in the control group. Other variables including state anger, positive and negative affect, and self-esteem have not been changed over time in both groups. These findings suggest that practicing the mind-body training could have a relevance to the functional differences in network related to stress and anxiety reaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in the global FC values of DMN for the HC and MBT groups in the PRE and POST states at the theta (a) and alpha (b) frequency bands. DMN = Default Mode Network; HC = Healthy Control; MBT = the MBT (mind-body training) group; PRE indicates the first EEG recordings and POST indicates the second EEG recordings 4-weeks after the first EEG recordings.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Network changes of the group averaged FC values at each pairs of connections within the DMN of the MBT group in the theta (a) and alpha (b) frequency bands. Red line indicates stronger connectivity in the POST than in the PRE, and blue line indicates weaker connectivity in the POST than in the PRE. MFG = Middle Frontal Gyrus; ACC = Anterior Cingulate Cortex; MTG = Middle Temporal Gyrus; IPL = Inferior Parietal Lobule; PCC = Posterior Cingulate Cortex.
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