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http://dx.doi.org/10.14695/KJSOS.2016.19.4.119

EEG Study for the Effects of Mouth Breathing on Brain Functions  

Lee, Kyung-Jin (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University)
Lee, Song-Yi (Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies)
Park, So-Young (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University)
Jang, So-Ra (Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Gachon University)
Kang, Chang-Ki (Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Gachon University)
Publication Information
Science of Emotion and Sensibility / v.19, no.4, 2016 , pp. 119-126 More about this Journal
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of mouth breathing on brain activity through electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG was performed on 12 healthy volunteers of age ranging from 21 to 27 years (male: female = 6:6, non-smoker). Brain waves on resting state (Rest_N/Rest_M) and auditory-language stimuli state (Eng_N/Eng_M) were recorded during mouth and nose breathing. Four different regions (R1~R4) were classified based on the brain functionality. And each channel (e.g., Pf1 and Pf2) and frequency (${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, and ${\theta}$) were analyzed using their absolute power ratios of fast Fourier transform (FFT). The results showed that there was no significant difference between Rest_N and Rest_M. Eng_N had significantly higher brain activity than Rest_N; on the other hand, there was no significant difference between Rest_M and Eng_M. These results demonstrate that mouth-breathing on resting state does not induce any significant effects on brain activity and/or functionality, even though it causes subtle temporary inconvenience. In addition to the uncomfort, the brain activity can be adversely influenced by mouth-breathing, which could lower the cognitive skills under certain circumstances.
Keywords
EEG; Breathing; Oxygen; Brain function; Attention;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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