Impact of preksha meditation on alpha waves in EEG

Abstract

Aims: The present study aims at demonstrating changes in alpha wave frequency on electroencephalograph (EEG) at two and four months of preksha meditation training in young novice students. Materials and Methods: Participants included 52 girls between the 17 to 21 years of age from a local college selected using a convenience sampling technique. They were randomly divided into experimental (n = 29) and control (n = 26) groups. Study duration was 4 months during which experimental group was administered a supervised PM training for 4 months. During this period control group continued their normal activities without mediation practice. EEG was analyzed for alpha waves and compared at base line, at 2 months and at 4 months. Results: The mean value of alpha wave frequency (%) in control group at beginning was 49.65 ±21.598 which increased to 52.58±18.005 at 2 months. In experimental group, in beginning it was 49.52 ±18.169 which increased to 54.31±22.490 at 2 months. However, this increment was not statistically significant in both groups. A statistically significant increment in alpha waves percentage to 66.59±9.493 was observed in experimental group after four months of PM which was significant at the level of p<0.01. Conversely the changes in control group after 4 months were not significant rather the mean value decreased to 48.88±17.653. Conclusions: A significant increase in alpha waves was observed at 4 months of PM practice in young novice students. This increase was observed at 4 months and not at 2 months suggesting that longer practice of meditation is needed to bring out significant improvement.