Temporal Courses in EEG Theta and Alpha Activity in the Dynamic Health Qigong Techniques Wu Qin Xi and Liu Zi Jue

Abstract

Health Qigong is a common technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine applied to strengthen mental and physical health. Several studies report increases in EEG theta and alpha activity after meditative Qigong techniques indicating a relaxed state of mind. To date, little is known on the effects of dynamic Health Qigong techniques that comprise bodily movements on brain activity. In the current study, we compared effects of two dynamic Health Qigong techniques on EEG brain activity. Subjects performed the techniques Wu Qin Xi (five animals play) and Liu Zi Jue (six healing sounds) in a within-subjects design. Eyes-open and eyes-closed resting EEG was recorded before and immediately after each 15-min practice block. Additionally, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire was administered at pretest, and after each 15-min practice block. Results show a decrease in alpha activity after 15 min, followed by an increase after 30 min in the Health Qigong technique Liu Zi Jue. Theta activity was decreased after 15 min, followed by an increase after 30 min in the technique Wu Qin Xi. Results of the POMS indicated an increased vigor-activity level with decreased fatigue and tension-anxiety levels in both techniques after 30 min of practice. Our results demonstrate different temporal dynamics in EEG theta and alpha activity for the Health Qigong techniques Wu Qin Xi and Liu Zi Jue. We hypothesize that the found brain activation patterns result from different attentional focusing styles and breathing techniques performed during the investigated Health Qigong techniques.

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

“…In previous experimental studies conducted in our working group, increases in midline fronto-central theta and shifts in alpha activity from posterior to anterior regions over the whole scalp after physical training of the dynamic Qigong technique Wu Qin Xi were observed ( Henz et al, 2013 , 2014 , 2015 ; Henz and Schöllhorn, 2015 ). From a qualitative point of view, the found brain activation patterns were in line with findings of studies conducted with meditational (static) Qigong.…”

“…In the present study, we demonstrate an increase of midline fronto-central theta and posterior alpha-1 and alpha-2 activity after practice of the dynamic Qigong technique Wu Qin Xi . The finding of increases in midline fronto-central theta and shifts in alpha-1 and alpha-2 activity from posterior to anterior regions after physical training of the dynamic Qigong technique Wu Qin Xi was replicated ( Henz et al, 2013 , 2014 , 2015 ; Henz and Schöllhorn, 2015 ). Further, our results mirror the findings of previous studies of effects on EEG brain activity after Qigong meditation demonstrating a shift of EEG activity from posterior to anterior regions ( Zhang et al, 1988a , b ; Yang et al, 1994 ; Litscher et al, 2001 ; Jang et al, 2004 ; Tei et al, 2006a , b , 2009 ; Qin et al, 2009 ; Faber et al, 2012 ).…”

Fatigue-Related and Timescale-Dependent Changes in Individual Movement Patterns Identified Using Support Vector Machine

“…Having profiles in mind supports the disposition for comparison, which drags mental resources and increases the probability of frustration ( Fillauer et al, 2020 ). As a consequence, this could suggest the need to move toward an alternative approach that is not oriented on set targets as in the closed-loop approach to learning ( Adams, 1987 ) but instead fosters constant changes that support approaches originating from Far Eastern philosophy ( Purser et al, 2016 ; Gallicchio and Ring, 2019 ) and which help one to be in the moment in order to achieve a brain state that is optimal for performing and learning ( Henz and Schöllhorn, 2018 ). Being in the moment can be associated with the term situatedness as it is understood in pragmatism under contextuality ( Dewey et al, 1982 ) or in phenomenology under situativity ( Heidegger, 1927 ; Merleau-Ponty, 1945 ).…”

Relaxation or Regulation: The Acute Effect of Mind-Body Exercise on Heart Rate Variability and Subjective State in Experienced Qi Gong Practitioners

“…On the experiential level, changes in parasympathetic modulation (RMSSD, lnHF) displayed negative, indicators of activation (HR, lnVLF), positive correlations with perceived body activation, and subjective vitality. ese findings underline the general activating aspect of body-mind exercise via its influence on energy [55] and subjective vitality as activated positive emotion [56][57][58].…”