Activation of the orbitofrontal cortex by both meditation and exercise: A near-infrared spectroscopy study

Abstract

In some types of meditation, such as mindfulness and Zen, breathing is the focus of attention, whereas during an excessive, short-period of anaerobic exercise, the muscles become the focus of attention. Thus, during both efforts, one’s attention is focused on a certain feature of the body. Both meditation and exercise generally provide mental refreshment to humans. We hypothesized that the same brain regions are activated by both efforts in humans. To examine this hypothesis, we engaged participants in 3 tasks: meditation, exercise, and a control task. After each task, the participants underwent a 2-back test to concentrate their thoughts, while changes in their blood hemoglobin levels were simultaneously monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Seventeen participants (20–24 years of age; 11 men, 6 women) were enrolled. We applied a fast-Fourier transform (FFT) analysis to the NIRS wave data and calculated the correlation coefficients of the FFT data between (1) meditation and control, (2) exercise and control, and (3) meditation and exercise, at the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), brain areas that are generally involved in mental refreshment. A significant difference in the correlation coefficients between the OFC and DLPFC was detected in the meditation and exercise analysis, and signal source analysis confirmed that the NIRS waves spread from the right and left OFC edges (i.e., right and left temples) toward the center. Our results suggest that both meditation and exercise activate the OFC, which is involved in emotional reactions and motivation behavior, resulting in mental refreshment.

Brain Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Breathing Versus Traditional Mindful Breathing in Pain Modulation: Observational Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy Study

“…Structurally, previous studies reported that chronic pain led to gray matter loss [ 46 - 49 ], whereas meditation increased gray matter volume in the aPFC region [ 50 ]. Functionally, studies have found greater aPFC activation with meditation practice [ 51 ]. In the context of pain, aPFC activation was correlated with the unpleasantness aspect of pain [ 52 ].…”

Pain relief associated with decreased oxyhemoglobin level in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

“…The participants wore a sleeping mask to eliminate extra visual stimulation. Details of NIRS measurements were described previously [ 15 ]. Briefly, the NIRS optodes were placed in the proper position for each participant according to the international 10–20 system [ 27 ].…”

“…Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a useful, noninvasive method for measuring changes in brain activity [ 14 ]. NIRS measures oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations at the brain surface in real-time [ 15 ]. NIRS overcomes many problems of other brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET), including concerns about participant posture, spatial resolution, time resolution, loud sounds, and the need for a shielded room [ 16 ].…”

“…NIRS overcomes many problems of other brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET), including concerns about participant posture, spatial resolution, time resolution, loud sounds, and the need for a shielded room [ 16 ]. When NIRS is applied to the prefrontal cortex, activity changes are easily observed as a change in oxyhemoglobin concentrations [ 15 ]. Thus, NIRS is useful for exploring brain regions in the prefrontal cortex involved in pain relief.…”

Brain Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Breathing Versus Traditional Mindful Breathing in Pain Modulation: Observational Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy Study (Preprint)

“…Structurally, previous studies reported that chronic pain led to gray matter loss [46][47][48][49], whereas meditation increased gray matter volume in the aPFC region [50]. Functionally, studies have found greater aPFC activation with meditation practice [51]. In the context of pain, aPFC activation was correlated with the unpleasantness aspect of pain [52].…”