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Thesis
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC (EEG) MEASUREMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS-REDUCTION
University of West Florida
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2018
Abstract
Previous research has established that mindfulness-based meditation successfully reduces psychological stress; however, there is still insufficient research supporting the physiological effects on relaxation. The current study was designed to measure the effect of the Ratio Breathing Technique (a mindfulness-based meditation) on physiological/psychological stress-reduction compared to music and control conditions. The electroencephalographic measurement was used to test the hypothesis that higher alpha activity will be observed in the frontal and central regions of the brain during meditation compared to listening to music or a control group. Larger decreases in heart rate as measured by pulse oximetry were also expected in meditation compared to music and control groups. Meditation was also expected to produce higher scores on mindfulness and flow factors, and lessen negative mood measured by several psychological questionnaires (FFMQ-SF, POMS-SF, DFS-2). There was a significant decrease in heart rate following meditation, but no effects on oxygen saturation level were found. A significant difference of alpha power level was found in the frontal region between meditation and music groups and between music and control groups. Overall, the physiological results suggest deeper relaxation during Ratio Breathing Meditation. However, no changes were found for mindful experience, relaxation, total absorption into the task or self-report measures of mood.
Details
- Title
- ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC (EEG) MEASUREMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS-REDUCTION
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Copyright
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
- Identifiers
- 99380090840606600
- Academic Unit
- Psychology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida