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The multimodal neurophysiological assessment of immediate LiuZiJue: revealing executive control and brain function
YuQing Bi1, Huazong Guan2, Jie Wang1
1Department of Rehabilitation, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Introduction:
This study investigated the immediate effects of LiuZiJue breathing practice on executive control and its associated neural correlates using a multimodal approach combining behavioral testing, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Methods:
A randomized crossover design was conducted in 20 healthy young adults. Participants completed Stroop task performance and TMS assessments under LiuZiJue and control conditions (eyes-closed rest). Resting-state fMRI and task-based fNIRS recordings were additionally acquired to examine brain activity and functional connectivity changes.
Results:
LiuZiJue significantly reduced Stroop reaction time compared with both baseline and control conditions (p < 0.05), without affecting accuracy. fNIRS results showed decreased oxygenated hemoglobin (HBO) signals in the prefrontal cortex, premotor area, supplementary motor area, and primary motor cortex during the LiuZiJue task (p < 0.05). Resting-state fMRI revealed altered regional brain activity and functional connectivity (FDR-corrected, p < 0.05), including decreased zALFF in precentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and insula and increased zALFF in cerebellar vermis lobule IX. Functional connectivity analysis indicated significant alterations in interregional connectivity (FDR-corrected, p < 0.05). TMS results indicated a significant prolongation of cortical silent period (CSP, p < 0.01), while short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) remained unchanged.
Conclusion:
LiuZiJue was associated with changes in behavioral performance, cortical excitability, and large-scale brain activity in healthy young adults. These findings suggest potential modulation of executive-related neural processes; however, causal interpretations and underlying mechanisms should be considered cautiously given the exploratory nature of the study and limited sample size.
Clinical Trial Registration:
https://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojEN.html, identifier: ChiCTR2400087145.
