The multimodal neurophysiological assessment of immediate LiuZiJue: revealing executive control and brain function changes

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  p  p  p  p   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.