Monday, 26 June 2023

JOVE Modulation of the Neurophysiological Response to Fearful and Stressful Stimuli through Repetitive Religious Chantings

 Submission ID #: 62960

Scriptwriter Name: Shehnaz Lokhandwala

Project Page Link: https://www.jove.com/account/file-uploader?src=19202848

 

Title: Modulation of the Neurophysiological Response to Fearful and Stressful Stimuli through Repetitive Religious Chanting

 

Authors and Affiliations: Hin Hung Sik1, Georgios T. Halkias1, Chunqi Chang2, Junling Gao1, Hang Kin Leung1, Bonnie W. Y. Wu1*

 

1Buddhism and Science Research Lab, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong

2School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University

 

 

Corresponding Authors:

Bonnie W. Y. Wu                     (bonniewu@hku.hk)

 

Email Addresses for All Authors:

hinhung@hku.hk

halkias@hku.hk

cqchang@szu.edu.cn

galeng@hku.hk

hank.leung@hku.hk

bonniewu@hku.hk

 

 

 


 

Author Questionnaire

1. Microscopy: Does your protocol require the use of a dissecting or stereomicroscope for performing a complex dissection, microinjection technique, or something similar?  No 

 

2. Software: Does the part of your protocol being filmed include step-by-step descriptions of software usage? Yes, all done

 

3. Filming location: Will the filming need to take place in multiple locations? No

 

Current Protocol Length

 

Number of Steps:  31

Number of Shots:  47

Introduction

 

1.      Introductory Interview Statements

 

Videographer: Obtain headshots for all authors.

 

REQUIRED:

1.1.      Georgios T. Halkias: Chanting and praying are among the most popular religious practices. This protocol could help scientists examine the neurophysiological response of repetitive religious chanting using Event-related Potentials.

1.1.1.      INTERVIEW: Named talent says the statement above in an interview-style shot, looking slightly off-camera. Suggested b-roll: 2.7

 

1.2.      Ven. Hin Hung Sik: The ERP technique can differentiate between early- and late- stages of information processing, analoging the first and second darts of mind processing in Buddhism teachings.

1.2.1.      INTERVIEW: Named talent says the statement above in an interview-style shot, looking slightly off-camera. Suggested b-roll: LAB MEDIA: Figure 2

 

 

OPTIONAL:

1.3.      Dr. Bonnie Wu: Following this protocol, researchers can examine the effect of religious chanting or other traditional practices to identify feasible ways to help people ameliorate their emotional suffering.

1.3.1.      INTERVIEW: Named talent says the statement above in an interview-style shot, looking slightly off-camera. Suggested b-roll: 5.2.1

 

Introduction of Demonstrator on Camera

 

1.4.      Ven. Hin Hung Sik: Demonstrating the procedure will be Dr. Junling Gao, a Research Officer, and Mr. Hank Leung, a Senior Research Assistant in my Buddhism and Science Research laboratory.

1.4.1.      INTERVIEW: Author saying the above.

1.4.2.      The named demonstrator(s) looks up from workbench or desk or microscope and acknowledges the camera.

 

 

Ethics Title Card

1.5.      Procedures involving human participants have been approved by The University of Hong Kong Institutional Review Board. Before participating in this study, all participants signed a written informed consent form.

Protocol

2.      Affective Modulation Experiment

2.1.      To begin this study, recruit participants with at least 1 year of experience in chanting the name of “Amitabha Buddha” [1].

2.1.1.      WIDE: Establishing shot of talent with recruited participants.

 

2.2.      During the experiment, record the EEG (E-E-G) data using a 128-channel EEG system consisting of an amplifier, headbox, EEG cap, and two desktop computers [1] and record the ECG data using a physiological data recording system [2].

2.2.1.      Shot of the EEG recording system.

2.2.2.      Shot of the physiological data recording system.

 

2.3.      For showing neutral and negative pictures from the International Affective Picture System, or IAPS (I-A-P-S), use stimulus presentation software on a desktop computer [1].

2.3.1.      Shot of talent at the desktop computer, opening the stimulus presentation software.

 

2.4.      Present the pictures on a monitor at 75 centimeters from the participants’ eyes, with visual angles of 15 degrees vertically and 21 degrees horizontally [1].

2.4.1.      Shot of participant in front of the monitor at the appropriate position.

 

2.5.      Use a block design for the experiment as it may more effectively elicit emotion-related components. Provide a brief practice run to allow the participants to familiarize themselves with each condition [1] and use a video monitor to ensure that the participants do not fall asleep [2].

2.5.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 1.

2.5.2.      Talent watching the participant through a video monitor.

 

2.6.      Begin the experiment with the religious chanting condition [1]. Ask the participants to chant four characters of the name of “Amitabha Buddha” for 40 seconds while imagining the Amitabha following the script in Pureland school [2].

2.6.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the red AmiNeu and AmiNeg rows

2.6.2.      Talent asking the participant to chant the name of “Amitabha Buddha.”

 

2.7.      During the first 20 seconds, show the participants the image of Amitabha [1], and for the next 20 seconds, show them the IAPS images [2]. Ask the participants to observe the pictures carefully. Show each picture for approximately 1.8 to 2.2 seconds, with an interstimulus interval of 0.4 to 0.6 seconds [3].

2.7.1.      Shot of participant chanting the name of “Amitabha Buddha” with the image of Amitabha being shown to them visible in frame. Videographer: Capture audio when the participant is chanting

2.7.2.      Shot of participant chanting the name of “Amitabha Buddha” with the IAPS images being shown to them visible in frame. Videographer: Capture audio when the participant is chanting

2.7.3.      Shot of participant chanting and looking at the monitor, with screen visible in frame. Videographer: Capture a shot in which the picture is changing to the next image

 

2.8.      After each session, allow a rest period of 20 seconds [1] to counter the potential residual effects of chanting or picture viewing on the next session [2-TXT].

2.8.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the 20-second grey Rest periods.

2.8.2.      Shot of participant resting/not looking at the monitor. TEXT: Give the participants a 10 min rest in the middle of the 40 min experiment

 

2.9.      For the non-religious chanting condition [1], ask the participants to chant four characters of the name of “Santa Claus” for 40 seconds while imagining the Santa Claus [2].

2.9.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the blue SanNeu and SanNeg rows

2.9.2.      Talent asking the participant to chant the name of “Santa Claus.”

 

2.10.  During the first 20 seconds, show the participants the image of Santa Claus [1], and for the next 20 seconds, show them the IAPS images [2].

2.10.1.  Shot of participant chanting the name of “Santa Claus” with the image of Santa Claus being shown to them visible in frame. Videographer: Capture audio when the participant is chanting

2.10.2.  Shot of participant chanting the name of “Santa Claus” with the IAPS images being shown to them. Videographer: Capture audio when the participant is chanting

 

2.11.  For the control condition [1], ask the participants to keep silent for 40 seconds [2]. During the first 20 seconds, show the participants a blank image [3], and for the next 20 seconds, show them the IAPS images [4].

2.11.1.  LAB MEDIA: Figure 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the green PasNeu and PasNeg rows

2.11.2.  Talent asking the participant to keep silent.

2.11.3.  Shot of participant staying silent with a blank picture being shown to them visible in frame.

2.11.4.  Shot of participant staying silent with the IAPS being shown to them visible in frame

3.      EEG Data Analysis

3.1.      To process and analyze the EEG data, use the open-source software, EEGLAB (E-E-G-lab) [1].

3.1.1.      WIDE: Talent at the computer, opening EEGLAB software, monitor visible in frame. Videographer: Obtain a few shots of talent clicking the mouse and typing on the keyboard to use as b-roll throughout the video

 

3.2.      To maintain a reasonable data file size, use the EEGLAB function “pop_resample” (pop-underscore-resample). Click on Tools followed by Change sampling rate to resample the data from 1,000 Hertz to 250 Hertz [1].

3.2.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.2.1. 0:00-0:15

 

3.3.      Next, filter the data using the EEGLAB function “pop_eegfiltnew” (pop-underscore-E-E-G-filt-new). Click on Tools followed by Filter the data, then select Basic FIR (F-I-R) filter new-comma-default to filter the data with a finite impulse response filter with a 0.1 to 100 Hertz passband [1].

3.3.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.3.1. 0:00-0:23

 

3.4.      To reduce the noise from the alternating current, click on Tools followed by Filter the data and select Notch filter the data instead of pass band. Then, filter the data with a nonlinear infinite impulse response filter with a 47 to 53 Hertz stopband [1].

3.4.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.4.1. 0:00-0:21

 

3.5.      Next, click on Plot and then Channel data-scroll to visually inspect the data and remove strong artifacts generated by eye and muscle movements [1]. Then, click on Tools, Interpolate electrodes, and Select from the data channels to reconstruct the bad channels using spherical interpolation [2].

3.5.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.5.1. 0:00-0:12.

3.5.2.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.5.2. 0:00-0:17, then skip to 0:21-0:32. Video Editor: Speed up, as necessary

 

3.6.      Next, click on Tools and Run ICA to run an independent component analysis with the open-source algorithm “runica” [1]. Then, click on Tools again, followed by Reject data using ICA and Reject components by map to remove the independent components corresponding to eye movements, blinks, muscle movement, and line noise [2].

3.6.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.6.1. 0:00-0:09

3.6.2.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.6.2. 0:00-0:23

 

3.7.      To reconstruct the data using the remaining independent components, click on Tools followed by Remove components [1].

3.7.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.7.1. 0:00-0:12

 

3.8.      Next, click on Tools followed by Filter the data and select Basic FIR filter new-comma- default to filter the data with a 30 Hertz low-pass filter [1].

3.8.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.8.1. 0:00-0:15

 

3.9.      Then, click on Tools followed by Extract epochs to obtain ERP data by extracting and averaging time-locked epochs for each condition with a time window of negative-200 to 0 milliseconds as the baseline and 0 to 800 milliseconds as the ERP [1].

3.9.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.9.1. 0:00-0:26

 

3.10.  Next, click on Tools followed by Re-reference to re-reference the ERP data with the average of the left and right mastoid channels [1].

3.10.1.  SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_3.10.1. 0:00-0:20

 

3.11.  After repeating the above steps for the datasets from all participants, define time windows for N1 and late positive potential, or LPP, based on established theories and the current data [1].

3.11.1.  Talent defining time windows for N1 and LPP by pointing to a screen/figure.

 

3.12.  Then, using a paired t-test, find the neutral versus negative picture difference at the N1 component [1] and the LPP component among the three conditions [2].

3.12.1.  Talent at the computer, finding neutral versus negative picture difference at the N1 component, monitor visible in frame.

3.12.2.  Talent at the computer, finding neutral versus negative picture difference at the LPP component, monitor visible in frame.

 

3.13.  Next, perform a region-of-interest analysis on the N1 and LPP components by averaging relevant channels to represent a region [1]. Then, compare the difference at N1 and LPP separately, using repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc statistics in statistical analysis software [2].

3.13.1.  SCREEN: To be uploaded by Authors: Performing ROI analysis Videographer: Please film the screen for this shot as backup

3.13.2.  Talent at computer, performing repeated measures ANOVA, monitor visible in frame.

 

4.      ERP Source Analysis

4.1.      Use the SPM open-source software to perform the ERP source analysis [1].

4.1.1.      WIDE: Talent at the computer, opening SPM software, monitor visible in frame.

 

4.2.      Link the coordinate system of the EEG cap sensor to that of a standard structural MRI image by landmark-based co-registration. In SPM, click on Batch, then SPM, M/EEG (M-slash-EEG), Source reconstruction, and Head model specification [1].

4.2.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_4.2.1. 0:00-0:14

 

4.3.      Next, perform forward computation to calculate the effect of each dipole on the cortical mesh imposed on the EEG sensors. Under the same Batch Editor, click on SPM, then M/EEG, Source reconstruction, and Source inversion [1].

4.3.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_4.3.1. 0:00-0:12

 

4.4.      To perform the inverse reconstruction, use the greedy search-based multiple sparse priors algorithm in the third step. Choose MSP-GS for the Inversion type in the Source Inversion window [1].

4.4.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_4.4.1. 0:00-0:10.

 

4.5.      Determine the difference between conditions using general linear modeling in SPM. After setting the significance level to p (single letter ‘P’) less than 0.05, under Batch Editor, click on SPM, then Stats and Factorial design specification [1].

4.5.1.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_4.5.1. 0:00-0:12

 

5.      ECG Data and Behavioral Assessment Analysis

5.1.      To process and analyze the ECG data, use physiological and data processing software [1]. To calculate the mean scores for each condition, in EEGLAB, click on Tools followed by FMRIB Tools and Detect QRS events [2].

5.1.1.      WIDE: Talent at the computer, opening physiological and data processing software, monitor visible in frame.

5.1.2.      SCREEN: 62960_screenshot_5.1.2. 0:00-0:12

 

5.2.      For behavioral assessment analysis, ask the participants to rate their belief in the efficacy of chanting the subject’s name on a 1 to 9 scale, where 1 is considered the weakest and 9 the strongest [1].

5.2.1.      Shot of participant rating their beliefs in the efficacy of chanting.

 

 

 

 

 


 

     

Results

6.      Results: Effective Modulation of Late Positive Potential (LPP) by Repetitive Religious Chanting

6.1.      Results for participants’ belief in chanting [1] revealed an average score of 8.16 for “Amitabha Buddha” [2], 3.26 for “Santa Claus” [3], and 1.95 for the blank control condition [4].

6.1.1.      LAB MEDIA: Supplementary Table 1

6.1.2.      LAB MEDIA: Supplementary Table 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the mean score ‘8.16’ for the Amitabha Figure

6.1.3.      LAB MEDIA: Supplementary Table 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the mean score ‘3.26’ for the Santa Claus Figure

6.1.4.      LAB MEDIA: Supplementary Table 1. Video Editor: Please emphasize the mean score ‘1.95’ for the Blank Figure

 

6.2.      The representative channel of the Parietal lobe demonstrated [1] that the chanting conditions had different effects on the early [2] and late processing of neutral and negative pictures [3], showing the time window of N1 and LPP, respectively [4].

6.2.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 2.

6.2.2.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 2. Video Editor: Please emphasize the N1 box

6.2.3.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 2. Video Editor: Please emphasize the LPP box

6.2.4.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 2.

 

6.3.      The ERP results showed [1] an increased N1 while viewing the fearful pictures in the three chanting conditions [2]. The negative images induced stronger central brain activities than neutral images, and the increases are comparable in the three conditions [3].

6.3.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 3.

6.3.2.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 3. Video Editor: Please emphasize the entire Negative-Pictures column

6.3.3.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 3. Video Editor: Please emphasize the entire Negative-Neutral (t-test) column

 

6.4.      The ERP also demonstrated an increased LPP [1] in the non-religious chanting [2] and no-chanting conditions [3]. However, the LPP induced by fearful pictures is barely visible when the participants chant Amitabha Buddha’s name [4].

6.4.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 4.

6.4.2.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 4. Video Editor: Please emphasize the Negative-Neutral (t-test) column for ‘Chanting Santa Claus’

6.4.3.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 4. Video Editor: Please emphasize the Negative-Neutral (t-test) column for ‘Passive View’

6.4.4.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 4. Video Editor: Please emphasize the Negative-Neutral (t-test) column for ‘Chanting Amitabha’

 

6.5.      A region-of-interest analysis [1] revealed that the differences in the N1 component were similar across the three conditions [2]; however, the difference in the LPP component is much smaller in the religious chanting condition [3] than in the non-religious chanting condition [4] and the silent viewing condition [5].

6.5.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 5.

6.5.2.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 5. Video Editor: Please emphasize all three N1 bars

6.5.3.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 5. Video Editor: Please emphasize the brown LPP bar

6.5.4.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 5. Video Editor: Please emphasize the green LPP bar

6.5.5.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 5. Video Editor: Please emphasize the blue LPP bar

 

6.6.      Source analysis revealed that when compared with neutral pictures [1], negative pictures induce more parietal activation in the non-religious chanting condition [2] and no chanting condition [3]. In contrast, this negative picture-induced activation largely disappears in the religious chanting condition [4].

6.6.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 6.

6.6.2.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 6. Video Editor: Please emphasize the yellow brain regions in the ‘Chanting Santa Claus ’ row

6.6.3.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 6. Video Editor: Please emphasize the yellow brain regions in the  ‘Passive View’ row

6.6.4.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 6. Video Editor: Please emphasize the ‘Chanting Amitabha’ row

 

6.7.      A significant change in the heart rate was detected [1] between the fearful and neutral pictures in the non-religious [2] and no-chanting conditions [3]. However, no such difference was found in the religious chanting condition [4].

6.7.1.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 7.

6.7.2.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 7. Video Editor: Please emphasize the difference (‘p=0.002’) between SanNeu and SanNeg

6.7.3.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 7. Video Editor: Please emphasize the difference (‘p=0.032’ ) between PasNeu and PasNeg

6.7.4.      LAB MEDIA: Figure 7. Video Editor: Please emphasize the no difference (‘p=0.888’ ) between AmiNeu and AmiNeg

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Conclusion

7.      Conclusion Interview Statements

 

7.1.      Dr Junling Gao: This same protocol can be used in functional neuroimaging studies to reveal more specifically the brain regions involved in religious chanting.

 

7.1.1.      INTERVIEW: Named talent says the statement above in an interview-style shot, looking slightly off-camera.

 

7.2.      Ven. Hin Hung Sik: This study demonstrates a method for examining how repetitive religious chanting or other similar practices can influence the neurophysiological response and help reduce the suffering induced by negative stimuli.

 

7.2.1.      INTERVIEW: Named talent says the statement above in an interview-style shot, looking slightly off-camera. Suggested b-roll: LAB MEDIA: Figure 4

 

 

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