Peer-Reviewed Research: “The Frequency Change in α Waves and the Appearance of θ Waves during Qigong and Meditation”
This study presents a valuable investigation into the relationship between Qigong practice and changes in brainwave frequencies, focusing specifically on α (alpha) and θ (theta) waves as measured through electroencephalography (EEG). The researchers aimed to better understand how different states of consciousness—induced by Qigong, transcendental meditation (TM), and Buddhist meditation—manifest in the electrical patterns of the brain. In doing so, they contribute to a growing body of inquiry into how meditative and energetic practices influence neurophysiological functioning.
The experiment observed 38 Qigong practitioners (20 Chinese, 18 Japanese), 8 TM meditators, 2 Buddhist monks, and 29 non-practitioner control subjects. Qigong practitioners were studied in three conditions: during a resting state, during external Qigong (emitting Qi), and during internal Qigong (quiet sitting meditation). The control group served as the receivers during external Qigong emission. EEGs were recorded through 16 monopolar leads based on the international 10–20 system, and spectral analysis was performed to examine the frequency and distribution of brainwaves, particularly in the α (8.0–12.8 Hz) and θ (4.0–7.8 Hz) bands.
One of the most striking findings was the shift in α wave peak frequency in the Qigong group. At rest, the average α frequency was 9.55 Hz. During external Qigong, this increased to 9.74 Hz, and during internal Qigong, it reached 10.05 Hz. This rise in frequency suggests a heightened state of cerebral activity, characterized by focused attention and internal mental activation rather than passive relaxation. Contrary to the assumption that meditation always leads to slower brain rhythms, this data implies that Qigong activates the brain in a particular way—engaging the mind in an active, intention-driven process.
The researchers noted two clear patterns among Qigong practitioners: an “acceleration type” and a “deceleration type.” In the acceleration type, α frequency increased during practice relative to resting baseline, suggesting mental activity, alertness, and possibly the use of vivid internal visualization or intention. In contrast, the deceleration type displayed a decrease in α frequency during Qigong, more closely resembling the slower-wave patterns typically associated with deep meditative absorption. Interestingly, those in the deceleration group tended to have higher-than-average α frequencies at rest, which then lowered during practice, possibly reflecting a shift from cognitive engagement to internal stillness.
Theta waves, often linked to altered states of consciousness, creative flow, and deep meditation, were less consistently observed than might be expected. During the pre-Qigong resting state, 8 out of 38 Qigong practitioners (21.1%) exhibited θ waves. During internal Qigong, this increased to 36.8%, and during external Qigong, 21.4% showed brief appearances of θ. Notably, the θ waves were ephemeral, typically lasting only 2–3 cycles, and distributed broadly across the scalp rather than being localized to specific regions. This observation challenges earlier claims that Qigong regularly induces prolonged or robust θ wave activity. Instead, it suggests that the appearance of θ waves during Qigong is highly individual and likely dependent on the practitioner’s style, intention, and internal state.
Perhaps more surprising is that the control subjects who received Qi during external Qigong showed θ waves in 37.9% of cases—higher than the Qigong practitioners themselves. This may reflect a heightened receptivity or altered mental state in those passively experiencing the energetic field emitted by practitioners. It also raises interesting questions about how the brain responds to subtle energetic interactions, even in the absence of meditative training or expectation.
The study also included TM practitioners and Buddhist monks to allow comparison across meditative styles. The TM group showed a slight increase in α frequency during meditation. This gentle rise supports the idea that mantra meditation fosters a relaxed yet alert cognitive state. The nature of TM—repeating a sound or phrase silently in the mind—can be considered a form of internalized mental action, which may stimulate mild cortical activation while maintaining mental stability.
The Buddhist monks, by contrast, exhibited decreased α frequencies during meditation. One monk practicing Ajikan (a Shingon meditation focusing on the visualization of a sacred character) showed a drop from 10.6 Hz at rest to 9.2 Hz during meditation. The Soto-Zen monk's α frequency declined from 9.9 Hz to 8.9 Hz. These reductions suggest a deeper form of meditative absorption involving a withdrawal from mental imagery or verbal thought. In both cases, θ waves also appeared with greater clarity and duration than in Qigong or TM practitioners, though even among these experienced meditators, θ activity was not continuously sustained.
The EEG data suggest that Qigong practice occupies a distinctive neurophysiological space between active cognitive states and deep meditation. It engages internal intention, visualization, and energetic awareness while simultaneously fostering stillness and regulation of mental activity. The increased α frequency implies an organized and controlled state of cortical activation, while the occasional emergence of θ waves may reflect brief moments of deep focus or energetic resonance.
Unlike Zen meditation, which tends toward a suppression of thought and a drop in frequency, or TM, which gently stabilizes the mind around a repeated sound, Qigong appears to involve a dynamic interplay between alertness and inward quiet. Practitioners may be consciously engaging with imagined flows of Qi, internal body scans, or projected intention—all of which require mental participation rather than surrender. This helps explain the presence of β wave activity (associated with active thinking) alongside α frequency acceleration, especially during the external Qigong phase.
The researchers also examined the phenomenon of Fmθ—frontal midline theta activity—usually seen during high levels of concentration such as mental arithmetic. Interestingly, among all the Qigong participants, Fmθ was only clearly observed in one subject, during a mental calculation task, rather than during Qigong itself. This suggests that while Qigong does engage the mind, it does not necessarily stimulate the same type of cognitive focus associated with problem-solving or analytical thinking. Instead, it seems to activate a different mental mode, potentially involving spatial imagery, energetic sensation, or whole-body awareness.
Throughout the study, it becomes clear that brainwave activity during Qigong is not uniform across practitioners. This is consistent with the fact that Qigong is not a single technique but a category of mind-body practices with diverse expressions. Some forms are dynamic and movement-based, others static and meditative. Some emphasize physical alignment, others focus on internal visualization or energetic flow. These stylistic differences likely correspond to varying neurophysiological outcomes, and the data collected reflect this diversity in practice and state of consciousness.
The occasional appearance of θ waves during Qigong, though brief, is not insignificant. Theta waves are often interpreted as gateways to unconscious material, associative thinking, and deep introspection. Their sporadic presence during Qigong may signal moments of inward drop or sensory integration, especially during transitions from intention to absorption. Likewise, the increase in α frequency during internal Qigong suggests a refined internal awareness, a sort of quiet activation rather than sedation.
This pattern aligns well with classical descriptions of Qigong as a practice of "quiet strength"—not passive, but composed and regulated. Ancient Daoist texts describe this state as one of cultivated inner stillness while remaining profoundly connected to life energy. The EEG findings support this view, highlighting that Qigong does not merely “relax” the practitioner, but leads to an organized mental state of internal activity that can be measured through increased α wave frequency.
In summary, the study reveals that Qigong practice fosters a distinct mental state, one characterized by increased α activity, occasional θ emergence, and a balance of inner awareness with active intention. This sets it apart from TM, which elicits stable and gentle frequency shifts, and from Buddhist meditation, which tends toward cortical slowing and deeper absorption. Qigong is thus neither purely cognitive nor purely meditative—it is a cultivated internal discipline that engages the mind, body, and energy systems in unison.
These findings deepen our understanding of the physiological correlates of Qigong and point toward its unique contributions to the field of mind-body medicine. As EEG research continues to evolve, further exploration of Qigong’s effects on brain function—possibly integrated with heart rate variability, neuroendocrine markers, or functional imaging—could offer even more nuanced insights into how this ancient practice shapes the brain and nervous system.
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 International Society of Life Information Science, 14(1), 22–28.
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