is meditation a form of relaxation?: EEG studies: is meditation a form of relaxation?
Probably a unique state of consciousness Study of concentration and mindfulness: students given formal training in concentrative and mindfulness meditation EEGs done afterwards: relaxation compared to concentration and mindfulness, then concentration and mindfulness compared Results: more delta, theta amplitude (low frequency bands) for relaxation vs mindfulness vs concentration More alpha, beta 1 amplitude (high frequency bands) for mindfulness vs concentration vs relaxation Dunn, BR, Concentration and Mindfulness Meditations: unique forms of Consciousness?, 1999 Changes in the brain: Changes in the brain Study: Insight meditation Improves attention and mindfulness 20 participants trained in Insight meditation 2 were full-time meditation teachers 3 part-time yoga or meditation teachers Rest meditated avg 40 mins per day Participants had an avg of 9.1 +/- 7.1 years of meditation experience and practiced 6.2 +/- 4 hours per week Intervention: Participants attended at least 1 week-long I
