Cross-sectional and longitudinal study of effects of transcendental meditation practice on interhemispheric frontal asymmetry and frontal coherence

Int J Neurosci. 2006 Dec;116(12):1519-38. doi: 10.1080/00207450600575482.

Abstract

Two studies investigated frontal alpha lateral asymmetry and frontal interhemispheric coherence during eyes-closed rest, Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice, and computerized reaction-time tasks. In the first study, frontal coherence and lateralized asymmetry were higher in 13 TM subjects than in 12 controls. In the second study (N = 14), a one-year longitudinal study, lateral asymmetry did not change in any condition. In contrast, frontal coherence increased linearly during computer tasks and eyes-closed rest, and as a step-function during TM practice--rising to a high level after 2-months TM practice. Coherence was more sensitive than lateral asymmetry to effects of TM practice on brain functioning.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alpha Rhythm*
  • Anxiety
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology*
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Meditation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Morals
  • Personality
  • Psychological Tests
  • Rest / physiology