Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
March 15, 2024
Yuqi Hang, Buyanzaya Unenbat, Shiyun Tang et al.
13 citations
Deep immersion in tasks, known as flow experience, has significant psychological benefits. In a study involving 28 participants, six multifaceted tasks—including mindfulness and varying levels of Tetris—were used to induce flow. EEG recordings revealed strong positive correlations between subjective flow scores and brain activity in delta, gamma, and theta bands, peaking around two minutes after task onset. The analysis indicated a maximum R² of 0.163, showcasing the effectiveness of portable EEG technology for objectively measuring flow experiences in real-world settings.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
January 11, 2026
Yosuke Tomita, Mari Yokoo, Kaori Shimoda et al.
A single session of focused attention meditation before high-intensity interval training reduces state anxiety in university-level speed skaters more than random thinking does. In a randomized crossover study, twenty-six athletes completed three pre-exercise conditions—focused attention meditation, controlled breathing, and random thinking—before performing eight 20-second maximal cycling sprints. State anxiety dropped by 5.0 points after meditation versus 1.0 point after random thinking, a statistically significant difference with a moderate effect size. Controlled breathing improved heart rate variability but did not affect anxiety. Neither meditation nor breathing altered average power output or fatigue during the sprints. The results suggest that focused attention meditation offers a practical, immediate anxiety reduction without harming high-intensity performance.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
October 31, 2024
Daniel Anheuer, Brid Karacan, Lara Herzog et al.
Odors may enhance the sense of presence and immersion in virtual reality (VR) stress training for emergency personnel, potentially serving as stressors that modulate perceived psychophysiological stress. A portable fragrance dosing system using piezoelectric stainless steel micropumps was developed and validated, capable of delivering reproducible small quantities of an air-fragrance mixture close to the human nose for personalized odor presentation in VR. Validation results indicate the micropump releases odors with constant amounts. The theoretical background and planned experimental design for VR stress training incorporating olfactory technology are described.