CHANGES IN PREFRONTAL OXYGENATION, CARDIAC ACTIVITY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS FOLLOWING MIND SOUND RESONANCE TECHNIQUE

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mind is a conglomeration of thoughts that are manifest and unmanifest either in a conscious state or subconscious state. Repetitive thought patterns are a reaction to mental and breathing imbalances, which leads to psychological and emotional imbalances as well as physical disturbances such as abnormalities in heart rate, brain oxygenation, and cognition, as well as the emergence of numerous diseases. The main principles of cognition include executive functions, memory, attention, and thought processes. Cognitive disruption affects memory, focus, and attention. College student exhibit increased aggression due to academic stress, competition, time management, and financial concerns, which impact their psychological, physiological, and cognitive functions. Over the previous decade, college students have shown increased psychological distress, sadness, and anxiety. A poll of Australian tertiary students revealed that 65% experienced severe or very high psychological anguish, while 35.4% contemplated self-harm or suicide. In a sample of university students in Turkey, 27.1% exhibited depression, 47.1% experienced anxiety, and 27% reported stress. Furthermore, 30% of Canadian undergraduate students exhibited psychological difficulties, while 41.9% of Malaysian medical students were identified with emotional illnesses. Depression, anxiety, and stress were more prevalent in Asian countries than in other nations. Research in India indicated that medical students experienced elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress at rates of 51.3%, 66.9%, and 53%, respectively. Research indicates that stressors that college students encounter may serve as indicators of mental health diagnoses. Poor mental health can result in a variety of adverse effects, such as communal separation, difficulty concentrating in the classroom, regular attendance, assignment completion, and overall well-being. This can result in squandered opportunities and, ultimately, a diminished sense of self-worth. Moreover, other risk factors for cognitive impairment in individuals with poor mental health were found, including hypertension and depression. Neuroimaging research indicates that compromised mental health correlates with irregularities in both functional and structural connections of the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment. Research indicates that, even in the initial phases of cognitive loss, distinct abnormalities in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation parameters were seen. Research on heart rate variability has demonstrated that mental health correlates with irregularities in sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Working memory, a cognitive capacity that allows for the active retention and manipulation of information, is a fundamental component of the human memory system and is associated with other cognitive abilities, including attention, executive function, verbal memory, and information processing speed. In addition to pharmaceuticals, non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise, yoga, computer-based training, nutrition, brain stimulation, sleep, and music are increasingly significant in addressing cognitive deficiencies. Meditation has emerged as a prominent non-pharmacological method, earning global recognition as a form of complementary and alternative medicine, with its therapeutic advantages being investigated across diverse clinical situations. The Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) is a sound-based meditation method that employs mantras to create resonance, facilitating profound relaxation for both the mind and body. The Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) has demonstrated a beneficial impact on all facets of mental and physical health. Furthermore, it has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, tension, anxiety, and depression, while simultaneously improving self esteem in both clinical and non-clinical groups. Research indicates that MSRT reduces state anxiety, enhances psychomotor performance, and elevates cognitive capabilities, including sustained attention and information processing speed. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, the correlation between prefrontal oxygenation, psychophysiological alterations, and mental health remains inadequately investigated. The current study is to assess the effects of a one-month MSRT practice on prefrontal oxygenation, heart rate variability, cognitive function, and its association with mental health in college students. This research aims to address the gap by investigating how prefrontal oxygenation and psychophysiological alterations generated by MSRT can enhance overall mental well-being. We posited that one month of MSRT practice could enhance prefrontal oxygenation, heart rate variability, cognitive function, and mental well-being. .