It’s no secret that meditation and yoga benefits are plentiful and far-reaching. Yoga postures can enhance flexibility, improve balance and posture, increase muscle tone and raise one’s energy levels. Meditation is widely known for soothing the nerves, improving concentration and lowering blood pressure. As a new study suggested, these ancient techniques may also help train the brain.
About the Study
The study, published in the online journal TECHNOLOGY, was conducted by biomedical engineers at the University of Minnesota who sought out to test the effects of yoga poses and meditation on brain-controlled computer usage. For the experiment, 36 participants were divided into two groups: one with 12 people who had at least a year of experience in meditation or yoga and a second group with 24 people who had no experience in these practices. Both groups of were unfamiliar with the technology that the study utilized – computers that could be controlled by the brain.
Each group were subjected to three 2-hour experiments once per month for 30 months. They wore high-tech caps over their heads that detected brain activity and sent these signals to the computer. They were asked to imagine left or right hand movements, which would move a cursor across the computer screen.
The Findings
The results of the study showed that those who engaged in yoga or meditation techniques on a long-term basis were twice as likely to successfully complete the brain-computer interface exercises as those who did not practice. Additionally, the yoga and meditation group learned to utilize the technology three times faster than the second group.
In a statement published by the University of Minnesota, the researchers discussed how this study has revealed important information about the brain and the advanced technology.
“In recent years, there has been a lot of attention on improving the computer side of the brain-computer interface but very little attention to the brain side,” said lead researcher Bin He, who serves as biomedical engineering professor and director of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine at the university. “This comprehensive study shows for the first time that looking closer at the brain side may provide a valuable tool for reducing obstacles for brain-computer interface success in early stages.”
Future Implications for Human Health
This study proves the brain-boosting powers of yoga poses and meditation that scientists and doctors have long suspected. Bin He and his team of researchers are planning on studying a group of participants with no experience in yoga and meditation and then test how their brain functions with the computer as they learn the practices.
The technology at the center of these experiments will someday be used to help people with life-impeding conditions and injuries.
“Our ultimate goal is to help people who are paralyzed or have brain diseases regain mobility and independence,” Bin He said. “We need to look at all possibilities to improve the number of people who could benefit from our research.”