Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study

IntroductionSocial interaction is a vital source of human development, yet neuroscientific research delineating its neural correlates in large groups is scarce. Music as a rhythmic signal, and meditation, have been shown to induce group synchronization and pro-social behavior. However, their impact...

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Main Authors: Junling Gao, Hang Kin Leung, Kin Cheung (George) Lee, Chun Chi Poon, Gan Huang, Junhao Liao, Bonnie Wai Yan Wu, Thuan Quoc Thach, Rainbow Tin Hung Ho, Hin Hung Sik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1557904/full
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author Junling Gao
Hang Kin Leung
Kin Cheung (George) Lee
Chun Chi Poon
Gan Huang
Junhao Liao
Bonnie Wai Yan Wu
Thuan Quoc Thach
Rainbow Tin Hung Ho
Hin Hung Sik
author_facet Junling Gao
Hang Kin Leung
Kin Cheung (George) Lee
Chun Chi Poon
Gan Huang
Junhao Liao
Bonnie Wai Yan Wu
Thuan Quoc Thach
Rainbow Tin Hung Ho
Hin Hung Sik
author_sort Junling Gao
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionSocial interaction is a vital source of human development, yet neuroscientific research delineating its neural correlates in large groups is scarce. Music as a rhythmic signal, and meditation, have been shown to induce group synchronization and pro-social behavior. However, their impact on adolescents may vary, and the related brain functions remain underexplored. This study investigates the effects of mindfulness meditation and 6 Hz high-entropy music on brain synchronization and complexity in high school students.MethodsTwenty-eight adolescents underwent single-channel EEG at the forehead during three 5-minute conditions: rest, meditation, and 6 Hz high-entropy music. Alpha band power correlations assessed synchronization. Graph analyses quantified network properties.ResultsMean correlation was highest during music, then meditation, and lowest during rest, with significant differences between music and both rest and meditation. Meditation had the highest clustering coefficient and small-world index, suggesting more integrated and efficient networks. Music demonstrated the largest information cascades and synergy, indicating extensive information integration.Conclusion6 Hz high-entropy music induced the strongest synchronization. While meditation and music altered brain dynamics compared to rest, they worked distinctly. Meditation yielded more integrated connectivity; music yielded the greatest element-wise correlation. Future research with larger samples is recommended to optimize interventions for adolescent well-being and social connectedness.
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spelling doaj-art-4f06f3df42c1405da94dbcd9356f92032025-08-20T02:13:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-04-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15579041557904Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG studyJunling Gao0Hang Kin Leung1Kin Cheung (George) Lee2Chun Chi Poon3Gan Huang4Junhao Liao5Bonnie Wai Yan Wu6Thuan Quoc Thach7Rainbow Tin Hung Ho8Hin Hung Sik9Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaBuddhist Wong Wan Tin College, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, ChinaCentre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaIntroductionSocial interaction is a vital source of human development, yet neuroscientific research delineating its neural correlates in large groups is scarce. Music as a rhythmic signal, and meditation, have been shown to induce group synchronization and pro-social behavior. However, their impact on adolescents may vary, and the related brain functions remain underexplored. This study investigates the effects of mindfulness meditation and 6 Hz high-entropy music on brain synchronization and complexity in high school students.MethodsTwenty-eight adolescents underwent single-channel EEG at the forehead during three 5-minute conditions: rest, meditation, and 6 Hz high-entropy music. Alpha band power correlations assessed synchronization. Graph analyses quantified network properties.ResultsMean correlation was highest during music, then meditation, and lowest during rest, with significant differences between music and both rest and meditation. Meditation had the highest clustering coefficient and small-world index, suggesting more integrated and efficient networks. Music demonstrated the largest information cascades and synergy, indicating extensive information integration.Conclusion6 Hz high-entropy music induced the strongest synchronization. While meditation and music altered brain dynamics compared to rest, they worked distinctly. Meditation yielded more integrated connectivity; music yielded the greatest element-wise correlation. Future research with larger samples is recommended to optimize interventions for adolescent well-being and social connectedness.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1557904/fullEEGmeditationhigh-entropy musicbrain synchronizationadolescencehyperscanning
spellingShingle Junling Gao
Hang Kin Leung
Kin Cheung (George) Lee
Chun Chi Poon
Gan Huang
Junhao Liao
Bonnie Wai Yan Wu
Thuan Quoc Thach
Rainbow Tin Hung Ho
Hin Hung Sik
Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study
Frontiers in Neuroscience
EEG
meditation
high-entropy music
brain synchronization
adolescence
hyperscanning
title Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study
title_full Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study
title_fullStr Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study
title_full_unstemmed Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study
title_short Interbrain synchronization in classroom during high-entropy music listening and meditation: a hyperscanning EEG study
title_sort interbrain synchronization in classroom during high entropy music listening and meditation a hyperscanning eeg study
topic EEG
meditation
high-entropy music
brain synchronization
adolescence
hyperscanning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1557904/full
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