Abstract Details

Title Neuropsychological and resting state fMRI changes with Spiritual Practice

Topic Neuro-oncology

Presentation(s) P2 - Poster Session 2 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-033

Objective To compare the neuropsychological and resting state functional MRI changes in healthy individuals after spiritual practice to a control cohort that performed physical exercise alone.

Background Spiritual practice (SP) has been known to positively impact the health and behavior of individuals. There is limited evidence in terms of its neurological impact

Design/Methods This study was conducted with healthy adult male volunteers randomized into two groups. Group 1 (SP group) underwent a spiritual process (ShaktiPravaah) and meditation and group 2 (controls) did brisk walk for 30 minutes daily. A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychological evaluation was carried out for both groups before and after intervention to study the differences. The neuropsychological evaluation included validated testing for attention, speed of processing, working memory and thematic analysis. A paired sample t-test (Wilcoxon Signed Rank test) was done to assess neurocognitive measures and group-mean analysis with statistical significant of (p<0.05) was used for neuroimaging differences

Results

The neuropsychological tests showed significant improvement in ‘Speed of Processing’ Digit Symbol Test and improved mood with general well being in group 1 and in Focused Attention (Trail Making A) in group 2. Post-intervention, resting state fMRI showed increased connections of left precuneus in the posterior cingulate cortex area of default mode network (DMN) in group 1 and increased left frontal connections in group 2

Conclusions

An increased connection was noted in the left precuneus in group 1, which is known for emotional integration pertaining to self perception and self consciousness. Interestingly, recent studies have linked the precuneus to patients with attention deficit disorder and depression in whom emotional regulation is altered. The neuropsychological testing in group 1 showed improvement in cognitive processing and sense of well being. Limitation of this study is a small sample size. Further research is needed to determine how spiritual practices affect personal development.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Cecilia Fernandes, MD	No disclosure on file

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