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
Transcendental meditation for lowering blood pr...
Authors
Soo Liang Ooi, Melisa Giovino, Sok Cheon Pak
Journal
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
·
Background Transcendental meditation (TM) is a stress reduction technique that can potentially lower blood pressure (BP) safely. The American Heart Association recommends that TM may be considered in clinical practice. Objective To provide an overview of all systematic reviews and meta-analyses of TM on BP for evidence-informed clinical decision making. Method Systematic searches of PubMed, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO for all systematic rev […]
High intelligence: A risk factor for psychologi...
Authors
Ruth I. Karpinski, Audrey M. Kinase Kolb, Nicole A. Tetreault, Thomas B. Borowski
Journal
Intelligence
·
High intelligence is touted as being predictive of positive outcomes including educational success and income level. However, little is known about the difficulties experienced among this population. Specifically, those with a high intellectual capacity (hyper brain) possess overexcitabilities in various domains that may predispose them to certain psychological disorders as well as physiological conditions involving elevated sensory, and altered immune and inflammatory responses (hype […]
Home-based central nervous system assessment of...
Authors
Gregg D. Jacobs, Herbert Benson, Richard Friedman
Journal
Behavior Therapy
·
The majority of individuals with insomnia treated with single behavioral interventions do not achieve normal sleep. In this study, individuals with chronic sleep-onset insomnia (n=12) were treated with a sequentially administered multifactor behavioral intervention consisting of sleep restriction, modified stimulus control, and relaxation training. They were compared to age- and sex-matched normal sleepers (n=14) prior to and following treatment using home-based polysomnography and po […]