Peer-Reviewed Research: Qigong, Meditation, and Brainwaves: A Review of EEG Patterns in Altered States of Consciousness
In their 1996 paper published in the Journal of the International Society of Life Information Science, Kawano, Shi, and Duan explored the neurophysiological effects of Qigong and meditative practices through the lens of EEG (electroencephalography). Their primary focus was the modulation of alpha (α) and theta (θ) brainwaves—two key frequency bands that have long been associated with states of relaxation, focused attention, and altered consciousness. By comparing data across Qigong practitioners, Buddhist monks, TM (Transcendental Meditation) practitioners, and untrained control subjects, this research offers early and insightful neurophysiological evidence supporting the claim that internal Qigong and related contemplative practices exert distinct and measurable effects on the brain.
Alpha and Theta Waves: Gateways to Conscious States
Alpha waves (8.0–12.8 Hz) are typically associated with relaxed wakefulness. They dominate when the eyes are closed, and external stimuli are minimized. An increase in alpha power or peak frequency has been linked to alert calmness, enhanced creativity, and internalized attention. Theta waves (4.0–7.8 Hz), on the other hand, are slower and often associated with drowsiness, deep meditation, or early sleep stages. However, midline frontal theta (Fmθ) is often tied to focused mental activity such as complex problem-solving or concentration—especially in younger individuals.
In this study, Kawano et al. observed that Qigong practice leads to a statistically significant increase in the peak frequency of alpha waves in most practitioners. The average alpha frequency shifted from 9.55 Hz during the resting state to 9.74 Hz during external Qigong and further to 10.05 Hz during internal Qigong meditation. This indicates not just a general relaxation, but an alert internal state, potentially correlating with focused intention or visualizations commonly used in Qigong.
Importantly, two subtypes emerged among practitioners: those whose alpha frequency increased (accelerated) and those whose frequency decreased (decelerated). The decelerated group typically had a higher baseline alpha frequency, and while their alpha slowed during Qigong, they did not universally exhibit increased theta waves. This suggests that alpha deceleration in these individuals may represent a distinct meditative strategy—possibly paralleling Buddhist-style absorption.
Neural Mechanisms Underlying EEG Changes
The observed acceleration in alpha frequency is particularly intriguing, as it challenges the long-held notion that meditation universally slows brain rhythms. Instead, it supports a growing body of literature that distinguishes between types of meditation and their effects on cognition and brain activity. Focused-attention practices—like Qigong visualizations or TM mantra repetition—may increase cortical activation and sensory suppression in the occipital and parietal cortices, leading to heightened alpha frequencies. In contrast, open-monitoring or absorption-based meditations, such as Zen or Ajikan, may elicit alpha slowing and more widespread theta.
Mechanistically, the increase in alpha frequency may reflect top-down modulation of thalamo-cortical rhythms. The thalamus is known to play a central role in setting the tone of cortical activity, and alpha rhythms are partly generated through thalamic relay inhibition. An increase in alpha frequency during Qigong may indicate a state of relaxed vigilance—consistent with the intention-driven nature of the practice. This aligns with studies of neurofeedback, where trained subjects can voluntarily increase alpha frequency and experience improved concentration and reduced anxiety.
Theta rhythms, especially in frontal midline locations, are often linked to activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial prefrontal cortex—regions implicated in attention regulation, working memory, and error detection. While only one participant in the study exhibited clear Fmθ during mental calculation (used here as a concentration control task), this result mirrors prior studies suggesting that Fmθ appears more frequently in adolescents and young adults and may diminish with age.
Nevertheless, the fact that Qigong recipients—i.e., individuals passively receiving emitted Qi—exhibited higher rates of theta wave activity than the Qigong masters themselves (37.9% vs. 21.4%) is noteworthy. It suggests that receiving Qi may induce a deeply relaxed, possibly hypnotic or parasympathetic state, conducive to theta generation. Theta activity in these cases was diffuse and not restricted to frontal regions, suggesting a generalized slowing of cortical activity consistent with calm and inward-directed attention.
Qigong Compared with TM and Buddhist Meditation
A central aim of the study was to distinguish the EEG effects of Qigong from those of other meditative practices. The inclusion of Buddhist monks practicing Soto Zen and Ajikan, as well as TM practitioners, adds comparative depth to the analysis.
During Buddhist meditation, both monks displayed a consistent slowing of alpha frequency—from 10.6 to 9.2 Hz in Ajikan, and from 9.9 to 8.9 Hz in Soto Zen—along with the appearance of sustained theta wave trains. These theta episodes were longer (up to 15 cycles) than those observed during Qigong or TM, pointing to a more profound descent into a quiescent or absorptive state.
TM practitioners, on the other hand, showed only a slight increase in alpha frequency during mantra repetition. This places TM closer to Qigong on the neurophysiological spectrum: both involve focused intention or cognitive imagery (Qi visualization or silent mantra), and both tend to increase rather than decrease alpha frequency. However, unlike the Qigong group, TM practitioners did not show notable theta generation, suggesting a lighter, more cognitively engaged form of meditation.
These differences support the hypothesis proposed by Travis and Shear (2010), who categorized meditation styles into focused attention, open monitoring, and automatic self-transcending. Qigong and TM fall under the first two categories depending on the specific techniques, while Zen and Ajikan align more closely with automatic self-transcending, where cognitive effort is minimized, and deeper autonomic shifts occur.
Possible Role of Qi Emission and Biofield Interaction
One of the more unique contributions of this study is the inclusion of EEG recordings during Qi emission. Here, Qigong practitioners emitted Qi toward control subjects while EEGs were recorded simultaneously. Interestingly, recipients showed higher theta activity than the senders, suggesting that the biofield interaction—whether physiological, electromagnetic, or psychological—has an effect measurable in cortical activity.
Although not fully understood, some studies have proposed that Qigong emission may influence the autonomic nervous system of the recipient through mechanisms involving the vagus nerve or field effects such as infrared radiation or low-frequency electromagnetic waves. While speculative, the correlation between Qi reception and theta generation could be explained by a parasympathetic shift—a down-regulation of sympathetic arousal resulting in drowsiness, lowered vigilance, and cortical deceleration.
Recent studies have also examined external Qigong therapy (EQT) in clinical settings, showing that patients receiving Qi show altered EEGs, lowered heart rate, and improved HRV (heart rate variability), often alongside subjective reports of warmth, heaviness, or emotional release. While this paper predates those studies, it offers an early physiological foundation for understanding how Qigong may affect both the practitioner and the recipient.
Interpretations and Implications for Modern Science
From a neuroscientific perspective, the results point to a hybrid brain state produced by Qigong practice—marked by both relaxation (increased alpha amplitude, occasional theta) and heightened awareness (increased alpha frequency, preserved beta activity). This duality reflects the nature of Qigong: a dynamic balance between inward focus and somatic stillness.
It also aligns with the theory that alpha activity represents an “idling” rhythm that clears space for internal processing—whether it be sensory suppression, visual imagery, or bodily awareness. Increases in alpha frequency may enhance the resolution of this internal space, allowing the practitioner to remain alert while disconnected from sensory input.
Furthermore, the emergence of theta waves during deep Buddhist meditation but not during Qigong suggests a threshold of mental quietude beyond which cortical rhythms enter slower, more absorptive patterns. The study thus supports a neurophysiological continuum across meditative practices—from focused engagement to silent immersion—each with its own signature rhythm and neurochemical milieu.
Neurochemically, alpha and theta rhythms may be modulated by a balance of neurotransmitters like GABA (which enhances alpha), dopamine (linked to cognitive flow states), and acetylcholine (associated with focused attention). It is plausible that Qigong practice shifts this neurochemical balance, promoting a low-arousal, high-attention state—one conducive to both relaxation and vitality.
Conclusion
Kawano et al.'s 1996 study remains a foundational piece in the scientific exploration of Qigong and consciousness. By revealing how Qigong modulates alpha frequency and induces occasional theta activity, the authors provide early empirical support for the claim that Qigong alters brain states in unique ways—distinct from both TM and Buddhist meditation. These changes may reflect a synthesis of relaxation and attentional control, consistent with the ancient description of Qigong as “movement in stillness, and stillness in movement.”
As neuroscience continues to explore the spectrum of contemplative states, studies like this one remain vital in mapping the physiological signatures of practices that bridge mind and body—practices that are not just meditative but deeply intentional, embodied, and potentially therapeutic.
APA Reference
Kawano, K., Shi, J. M., & Duan, L. Y. (1996). The frequency change in α waves and the appearance of θ waves during Qigong and meditation. Journal of the International Society of Life Information Science, 14(1), 22–28.
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