Topographic EEG mapping of the relaxation response

Authors
Gregg D. Jacobs, Herbert Benson, Richard Friedman
Publication
Biofeedback and Self-regulation
Volume 21, pp. 121-129
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the central nervous system effects of the relaxation response (RR) in novice subjects using a controlled, within- subjects design and topographic EEG mapping as the dependent measure. Twenty subjects listened to a RR and control audiotape presented in a counterbalanced order while EEG was recorded from 14 scalp locations. The RR condition produced greater (p < .0164) reductions in frontal EEG beta activity relative to the control condition. No significant differences were observed for any other frequency band or scalp region. These findings suggest that elicitation of the RR produces significant reductions in cortical activation in anterior brain regions in novice subjects.

Related Listings
Topographic EEG mapping of the relaxation response
Authors
Gregg D. Jacobs, Herbert Benson, Richard Friedman
Journal
Biofeedback and Self-regulation
The purpose of this study was to assess the central nervous system effects of the relaxation response (RR) in novice subjects using a controlled, within- subjects design and topographic EEG mapping as the dependent measure. Twenty subjects listened to a RR and control audiotape presented in a counterbalanced order while EEG was recorded from 14 scalp locations. The RR condition produced greater (p < .0164) reductions in frontal EEG beta activity relative to the control condition. N […]
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working P...
Authors
Ruanne K. Peters, Herbert Benson, Douglas Porter
Journal
Am. J. Public Health
·
An experiment conducted at the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on five self-reported measures of health, performance, and well-being. For 12 weeks, 126 volunteers filled out daily records and reported bi-weekly for additional measurements. After four weeks of baseline monitoring, they were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation response; Group B was instructed to sit […]
Increases in positive psychological characteris...
Authors
Herbert Benson, Arthur Kornhaber, Carol Kornhaber, Mila N. LeChanu
Journal
Journal of Research and Development in Education
Evaluated self-esteem and locus of control in a group of high school students prior to, during, and following a single academic year. Using a randomized, crossover experimental design, 26 Ss were exposed to either a health curriculum based on elicitation of the relaxation response (RLR) and then a follow-up period, while 24 were assigned to a control health curriculum and then the RLR. Psychological testing was conducted using the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale and the Now […]