Slow-paced inspiration regularizes alpha phase dynamics in the human brain.

The phase of low-frequency, rhythmic cortical activity is essential for organizing brain processes because it provides a recurrent temporal frame for information coding. However, the low-frequency cortical phase exhibits great flexibility in response to external influences. Given that brain rhythms have been found to track respiratory inputs, we hypothesized that slow breathing, commonly associated with mental regulation, could reorganize the relationship between these two rhythmic systems through the adjustment of the cortical phase to such a slow train of inputs.

Comparison of gait symmetry between poststroke fallers and nonfallers during level walking using triaxial accelerometry: A STROBE-compliant cross-sectional study.

To compare the degree of gait symmetry of chronic poststroke fallers with that of nonfallers during level walking using triaxial accelerometry.In this cross-sectional study, a total of 14 patients with chronic stroke were recruited from a community hospital from February 2015 to July 2016. Patient characteristics, including the number of falls in the previous 12 months, were obtained from medical records.

Large-Scale Functional Brain Network Reorganization During Taoist Meditation.

Meditation induces a distinct and reversible mental state that provides insights into brain correlates of consciousness. We explored brain network changes related to meditation by graph theoretical analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Eighteen Taoist meditators with varying levels of expertise were scanned using a within-subjects counterbalanced design during resting and meditation states.

Brain deactivation in the outperformance in bimodal tasks: an FMRI study.

While it is known that some individuals can effectively perform two tasks simultaneously, other individuals cannot. How the brain deals with performing simultaneous tasks remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to assess which brain areas corresponded to various phenomena in task performance.

Effects of Internet popular opinion leaders (iPOL) among Internet-using men who have sex with men.

Background: The Internet has become a popular venue for facilitating sex networking for men who have sex with men (MSM).

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Internet popular opinion leaders (iPOL) in disseminating information about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), increasing the frequency of HIV testing, and reducing risky behaviors among MSM in Taiwan.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control website for comparison was used to estimate the effectiveness of iPOL.

Detection of nighttime melatonin level in Chinese Original Quiet Sitting.

Background/purpose: Some research has shown that melatonin levels increase after meditation practices, but other research has shown that they do not. In our previous functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we found positive activation of the pineal body during Chinese Original Quiet Sitting (COQS). To find other supporting evidence for pineal activation, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of COQS on nighttime melatonin levels.

Different brain network activations induced by modulation and nonmodulation laser acupuncture.

The aim of this study is to compare the distinct cerebral activation with continued wave (CW) and 10 Hz-modulated wave (MW) stimulation during low-level laser acupuncture. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed to investigate the possible mechanism during laser acupuncture stimulation at the left foot's yongquan (K1) acupoint. There are 12 healthy right-handed volunteers for each type of laser stimulation (10-Hz-Modulated wave: 8 males and 4 females; continued wave: 9 males and 3 females).

Studies of chinese original quiet sitting by using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Since different meditations may activate different regions in brain, we can use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate it. Chinese original quiet sitting is mainly one kind of traditional Chinese meditation. It contains two different parts: a short period of keeping phrase and intake spiritual energy, and a long period of relaxation with no further action.

Comparison of fMRI BOLD Effect and Arterial Pulsation Harmonic Distribution among Different Breathing Rate.

The phenomenon of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) had been studied since 1733. Most researches were focused on the heart rates or blood pressure variability. It was well known that heart rate variability (HRV) induced by respiration decreased progressively with age.

Comparison of fMRI BOLD Effect and Arterial Pulsation Harmonic Distribution among Different Breathing Rate.

The phenomenon of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) had been studied since 1733. Most researches were focused on the heart rates or blood pressure variability. It was well known that heart rate variability (HRV) induced by respiration decreased progressively with age.