Peer-Reviewed Research: EEG Source Imaging During Two Qigong Meditations
The study “EEG Source Imaging During Two Qigong Meditations” by Faber et al. (2012) explores the neurophysiological signatures of two distinct meditative states within the Qigong tradition using standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA). It is a compelling contribution to meditation neuroscience because it compares the cortical activation patterns of two different Qigong practices—“Thinking of Nothing” and “Qigong”—rather than simply comparing meditation to rest. This within-tradition, within-subject design adds depth to our understanding of how various meditative approaches, even within the same discipline, manifest in distinct patterns of brain activity.
The study included eight experienced Qigong practitioners from Master Feng-San Lee’s Meimen Qigong Center in Taipei. Each had an average of 11.5 years of practice, meditating for about an hour daily. EEG recordings were taken during three main conditions: “Thinking of Nothing,” “Qigong,” and no-task resting (initial and final). The Qigong practice involved slow arm movements coordinated with breath, while “Thinking of Nothing” involved passive mental emptiness. EEG data were collected via 19 electrodes and analyzed using sLORETA to identify intracerebral sources of activity across various frequency bands. The experimental setup adhered to the traditional sequencing of practices as preferred by the participants. Although this limits the control over time-sequencing effects, the design preserved the ecological validity of the meditative states. Both meditation sessions were 10 minutes long, and EEG recordings were segmented into 2-second epochs for detailed analysis.
Significant differences in brain activity were identified between the two meditative states, specifically in the alpha-2 (10.5–12 Hz) and beta-1 (12.5–18 Hz) frequency bands. The results revealed two distinct activation patterns: During “Qigong,” there was increased alpha-2 activity localized to right parietal Brodmann areas (BA) 5, 7, 31, and 40. During “Thinking of Nothing,” increased beta-1 activity was found in left frontal BA 6, 8, and 9. These findings suggest that “Qigong” involves more input-centered, self-referential processes, while “Thinking of Nothing” reflects control-centered cognitive activity. No significant differences were observed in the other six frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha-1, beta-2, beta-3, gamma), nor were there correlations between EEG activity and meditation experience or age. Comparisons with resting state showed that resting EEG patterns were positioned between the two meditative states.
Alpha activity is generally associated with internalized attention and inhibition of external sensory processing. The increase in alpha-2 activity in posterior parietal regions during “Qigong” supports the idea that this practice engages mechanisms of inward focus, multisensory integration, and self-referential awareness. BA 5 and 7, often considered part of the superior parietal lobule, are known to support spatial awareness, proprioception, and the body schema. BA 31 is associated with autobiographical memory and self-processing, while BA 40 plays a role in working memory and reactivation of prior learned behavior. This pattern of parietal activation may reflect the kinesthetic and proprioceptive involvement in the Qigong practice, which includes slow, intentional physical movement combined with heightened bodily awareness. These findings align with broader theories that associate parietal activation with self-transcendence, bodily integration, and mindful awareness during meditative states.
The left frontal cluster, including BA 6, 8, and 9, exhibited higher beta-1 activity during “Thinking of Nothing.” Beta activity is often linked with active cognitive processes, mental effort, and executive function. BA 6 encompasses the supplementary motor area and is often recruited for internal planning and non-executed motor imagery. BA 8 and 9 are involved in working memory, attention regulation, and inhibitory control. This frontal activation is consistent with the cognitive demand required to maintain a state of “not thinking”—an apparent paradox where active control is needed to suppress discursive thought. The effortful maintenance of mental blankness may lead to increased frontal activity, as the meditator continually reorients attention away from intrusive thoughts and back to an empty state. This result offers neurophysiological evidence for the internal vigilance needed even in seemingly “passive” meditative practices.
Although no statistically significant differences were found after correction for multiple comparisons between meditation and resting states, uncorrected trends indicated that “Qigong” yielded greater posterior activation compared to rest, and “Thinking of Nothing” yielded greater anterior activation compared to rest. This further supports the interpretation that “Qigong” involves enhanced somatosensory and integrative processes, while “Thinking of Nothing” involves more executive suppression and monitoring functions. Resting state EEG fell somewhere between the two, suggesting it is less cognitively engaged than either meditation.
One key limitation acknowledged by the authors is the fixed sequence of the meditation exercises. Because participants were unwilling to reverse the order of their practice, the effects of time and sequence cannot be entirely ruled out. However, resting state data did not show significant time-related changes, suggesting stability across the recording period. Another limitation is the relatively small sample size (n = 8), which limits generalizability. The absence of subjective experience reporting also prevents correlating neural signatures with phenomenological data. Additionally, the absence of control groups, such as novice meditators or non-meditators, restricts the interpretation of meditation-specific versus general brain activity patterns. Finally, the study only used 19 EEG electrodes, which, although sufficient for LORETA analyses, does not offer the spatial resolution of high-density EEG or fMRI studies.
This study makes several important contributions to meditation neuroscience. By comparing two different meditative exercises within the same tradition, the study demonstrates that even closely related practices engage distinct neural circuits. The use of source localization overcomes the limitations of traditional scalp EEG analysis, providing more anatomically meaningful insights. The identification of alpha-2 and beta-1 as the primary differentiators adds specificity to the ongoing debate about which frequency bands best characterize meditative states. The findings also challenge binary or trinary classifications of meditation (e.g., focused attention, open monitoring, self-transcending), suggesting a need for more nuanced frameworks that can account for the embodied, movement-based practices found in Qigong.
Further research should aim to increase sample size and include a control group of non-meditators. Collecting subjective experience data in real time or retrospectively would be valuable to correlate with EEG findings. Utilizing higher-density EEG or multimodal imaging (e.g., EEG-fMRI) could validate and refine the observed patterns. Investigating whether similar activation patterns occur in other movement-based contemplative practices such as Tai Chi or yoga may also be enlightening. Finally, exploring how training duration and level of mastery modulate the observed effects would help to better understand the development of meditative neuroplasticity over time.
The study by Faber et al. (2012) underscores the neurophysiological complexity of Qigong meditation and affirms that distinct meditative exercises can yield differentiated cortical activity patterns. “Qigong,” with its slow, mindful movements, is associated with increased alpha-2 activity in right parietal regions, reflecting self-referential, body-integrative processing. In contrast, “Thinking of Nothing” is associated with increased beta-1 activity in left frontal regions, suggesting active cognitive inhibition and control. This differentiation within a single tradition adds a crucial layer to our understanding of meditation’s neural correlates and points toward the importance of defining meditative practices not just by tradition but by their cognitive and physiological demands. As meditation research evolves, such nuanced studies will be essential for developing refined models of contemplative neuroscience.
Reference (APA format): Faber, P. L., Lehmann, D., Tei, S., Tsujiuchi, T., Kumano, H., Pascual-Marqui, R. D., & Kochi, K. (2012). EEG source imaging during two Qigong meditations. Cognitive Processing, 13(2), 255–265.
Discover your inner vitality with Red Dragon Qigong, a transformative course designed to harmonize body, vital energy, and mind. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Daoist philosophy, and enhanced with modern scientific insights, this course guides you through powerful Qigong practices that boost energy, reduce stress, and improve overall health. Whether you're a beginner or experienced practitioner, you'll learn techniques that cultivate balance and resilience, empowering you to thrive in daily life.
Join thousands of students on this journey of self-discovery and transformation. Enroll now and experience the power of Red Dragon Qigong!
👉 Visit CLICK HERE to get 50% off and start your practice today!
