Meditation-based clinical study to determine the correlation of quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and 24-hour EEG activity

Abstract

Background:The heart continuously transmits information to the cerebrum during each pulse, and influences information processing such as perception, cognition, and emotion, which are processed in the cerebrum. This is the basis for the theory of oriental medicine widely used in psychiatric medicine and clinical practice, so-called Simjushinji (heart and brain) theory, that the heart controls the mind. The present study aims to analyze the correlation between heart and brain function by 24-hour active electrocardiogram and quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement under meditation.Methods:This randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, 2-armed, parallel, multicenter clinical trial will analyze a total of 50 subjects, including 25 each for the test group and the active control group. Subjects will be randomly allocated to the test group (performing resource mindfulness) and the control group (performing stress mindfulness) in a 1:1 ratio. The clinical trial consists of 3 stages. The first and third stages are stable states. The second stage is divided into the test and active comparator groups. Quantitative EEG (qEEG) measurements at stages 1 and 3 will be recorded for 10 minutes; measurements at stage 2 will be recorded for 20 minutes with the eyes closed. The 24-hour Holter Monitoring and heart rate variability will be evaluated at each stage. Before the beginning of stage 3, subjects will complete the questionnaires. The primary outcome will be analyzed by independent t tests of both groups.Discussion:Scientific studies based on clinical epistemology are expected to serve as a basis for sustainable medical services in the field of psychiatric medicine in Korea. HRV, blood pressure index, and biometric index in qEEG, as determined by 24-hour Holter monitoring, will complement quantitative biomarkers and be useful in various fields.

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“…Based primarily on the assessment of the water dynamics in biological tissues, MRI has evolved as an excellent means to study the neurophysiological benefits of several lifestyle practices, treatments, or efficient diagnoses. Non-invasive functional MRI (fMRI) (Baron Short et al, 2010;Boccia et al, 2015;Miyoshi et al, 2019), along with electroencephalogram (EEG) data (Ferrarelli et al, 2013;Ahani et al, 2014;Bowman et al, 2017;Braboszcz et al, 2017;Cheong et al, 2018;Das et al, 2022) have provided a unique understanding of the neural mechanisms of meditation and its effect on decreased mind-wandering (Hasenkamp et al, 2012;Brandmeyer and Delorme, 2021).…”