Correlation between Cardiac Variability and Alpha /Theta Activities of EEG during Qigong Task- A Circumstantial Evidence on Conversation of Mind and Body

In a previous report we discussed the results of EEG analysis and optical topography measurement with an experienced meditator. Now we have analyzed the data of cardiac variability of R-R interval and its correlation with slow wave activities of EEG. Compared with that of the control task, the breathing rate lowered to 0.1Hz, the LF/HF ratio increased (p<0.001), while HF/TP (total spectral power) decreased significantly (p<0.005) during qigong task, reflecting a shift of sympathetic dominance in cardiovascular system resulted from respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). The results are consistent with other studies on meditation and Zazen practitioners, indicating that increased oscillation amplitude during slow breathing is caused by resonance between cardiac variability caused by respiration and that produced by physiological processes underlying slow rhythms. On the other hand, close correlation was observed between LF/HF ratio and the power of alpha activity over Fp1, O1, T5 and T6, while between LF/HF ratio and theta power over C4 and T6 areas, which suggest the possibility of influence of general autonomic homeostasis on subjective psychological state during qigong task.