The effects of prayer on attention resource availability and attention bias

Adams, Holly; Kleider-Offutt, Heather M.; Bell, David; Washburn, David A.

doi:10.1080/2153599x.2016.1206612

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…So far, Christian prayer has very rarely been the subject of EEG examination. Christian prayer covers a wide range of cognitive processes, including attention, memory, decision making, and planning [ 8 ]. It seems that prayer may, in certain respects, be similar to FAM [ 3 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the Electrical Activity of the Brain in the Alpha and Theta Bands during Prayer and Meditation

Dobrakowski

Blaszkiewicz

Skalski

2020

IJERPH

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Focused attention meditation (FAM) is a category of meditation based on an EEG pattern, which helps the wandering mind to focus on a particular object. It seems that prayer may, in certain respects, be similar to FAM. It is believed that emotional experience correlates mainly with theta, but also with selective alpha, with internalized attention correlating mainly with the synchronous activity of theta and alpha. The vast majority of studies indicate a possible impact of transcendence in meditation on the alpha wave in EEG. No such reports are available for prayer. Seventeen women and nineteen men aged 27–64 years with at least five years of intensive meditation/prayer experience were recruited to participate in the study. We identified the two largest groups which remained in the meditation trend originating from the Buddhist system (14 people) (Buddhist meditators) and in the Christian-based faith (15 people) (Christian meditators). EEG signal was recorded with open eyes, closed eyes, during meditation/prayer, and relaxation. After the EEG recording, an examination was conducted using the Scale of Spiritual Transcendence. Buddhist meditators exhibited a statistically significantly higher theta amplitude at Cz during meditation compared to relaxation. Meanwhile, spiritual openness favored a higher theta amplitude at Pz during relaxation. Our study did not reveal statistically significant differences in frontal areas with regard to alpha and theta, which was often indicated in previous studies. It seems necessary to analyze more closely the midline activity in terms of dispersed neural activity integration.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the Electrical Activity of the Brain in the Alpha and Theta Bands during Prayer and Meditation

Dobrakowski

Blaszkiewicz

Skalski

2020

IJERPH

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“…16,17 As shown by other studies, shalat can influence a moslem's attention source by changing the chronic cognitive workload, such as a workload related to the mind or worries with daily activities even though there is no objective evidence for this mental interpretation. 18…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effectivity of Shalat on Cognitive Function in the Elderly

et al. 2022

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Background: When humans enter the old phase, humans will experience physical, mental, social, and health changes and many older people feel alone, frustrated, and finally lose confidence in their health. One of the efforts to improve the health of the elderly can be made by increasing physical activity such as prayer.Objective: Our study aims to review the effect of Islamic prayer (shalat) on the cognitive function of moslems aged 60 and over.Method: Journal searches are conducted with English studies relevant to the topic and are carried out using ProQuest, SagePub, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantics databases. The journal year used is limited from 2015 to 2020. The related journals used in this research are four journals.Results: The study results reported that about 95% of the elderly said that praying five times a day would help their cognitive function healthy. These similarities suggest that exercise can help older adults maintain their cognitive abilities, whether prayer or exercise only. Prayer as physical activity may be beneficial for general and selective cognitive aspects, especially among older adults.Conclusion: prayer is an activity that can be done by the elderly and has several sound effects on cognitive function.

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“…Importantly, the several forms of prayers practiced in MHAP may have helped participants make sense of their difficult past, find meaning in productive behaviors, and feel in control of their future (Ladd & Spilka, 2006). In addition, prayer can release cognitive load fueled by stress and worry about a bad decision or problem by conceding responsibility for resolution to divinity (Adams et al, 2017). Additional literature supported the idea that religious practices foster gratitude among individuals (Lambert et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A narrative evaluation of a faith-based aftercare program for youth involved in the juvenile justice system

Ferolino

Yap

2022

Archive for the Psychology of Religion

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This study reports on the preliminary outcome evaluation of the Magone Home Aftercare Program (MHAP), a faith-based juvenile justice residential facility in the Philippines that provides intensive aftercare treatment for adolescent males involved in the juvenile justice system after their time in a rehabilitation facility or community detention in their area of residence. Although evaluation studies are typically conducted using quantitative research methods, we believe a narrative research approach can be a useful methodology that elucidates “ why” and “ how” or “ the story” behind the success of the program. As such, we evaluated the effectiveness of the MHAP in facilitating the reintegration of its beneficiaries through the stories they tell. Particularly, we analyzed and compared the life stories of MHAP beneficiaries who have been successfully reintegrated into their respective communities within the frame of redemptive narrative identity. The analysis of the interview data revealed that the life stories of these former beneficiaries contained redemption scenes in which they drew on adverse childhood experiences (extreme poverty, parental neglect, abuse, abandonment, and crime) in realizing their true selves (by gaining wisdom from the past, opportunities, new sources of strength, and desire to help others). Importantly, the redemption narratives also contained key life episodes that recognized the MHAP as the key to their successful reintegration into society. Such findings provide valuable information (i.e. how the program has achieved its objectives) to all levels of the MHAP, from program beneficiaries and front-line staff to decision-makers and funders, as well as community partners.

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The effects of prayer on attention resource availability and attention bias

Cited by 4 publications

References 45 publications

Changes in the Electrical Activity of the Brain in the Alpha and Theta Bands during Prayer and Meditation

Changes in the Electrical Activity of the Brain in the Alpha and Theta Bands during Prayer and Meditation

The Effectivity of Shalat on Cognitive Function in the Elderly

A narrative evaluation of a faith-based aftercare program for youth involved in the juvenile justice system

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