Brain activity during the flow experience: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.
Kazuki Yoshida1, Daisuke Sawamura2, Yuji Inagaki3
1Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan; Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Human Science, Hokkaido Bunkyo University, Japan.
Neuroscience Letters
|May 20, 2014
Summary
This study reveals that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is active during the flow state, a condition of total involvement. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), researchers observed increased brain activity in specific PFC regions during flow.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Computer Interaction
Background:
- Flow state is a psychological condition of complete absorption in an activity.
- The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is implicated in attention, emotion, and reward processing, but its role during flow is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity during the flow state using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Main Methods:
- Twenty university students performed a video game task designed to induce flow and boredom.
- fNIRS measured oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration changes in frontal brain regions.
- Flow state was assessed using the flow state scale.
Main Results:
- Increased oxy-Hb concentration was observed in the right and left ventrolateral PFC during the flow condition.
- Oxy-Hb concentration tended to decrease during the boredom condition.
- Significant increases in oxy-Hb were found in dorsolateral PFC, frontal pole areas, and left ventrolateral PFC after the flow task.
Conclusions:
- The flow state is associated with significant activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
- PFC activity during flow may support cognitive functions, emotional regulation, goal maintenance, and reward processing.
