Effects of heartfulness and bell meditation on brain activities and autonomic function in university students: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND: Distinct meditation styles may influence neuro‐autonomic activity differently, yet direct comparative evidence remains limited. This study examined the effects of 21 days of heartfulness and bell meditation on resting electroencephalography (EEG) rhythms and galvanic skin response (GSR) in healthy student participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty‐two university students were screened, of which nine students (19‐20 years) with no prior meditation experience met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned equally to the Heartfulness, Bell, or passive control group. Intervention groups received meditation sessions of 30 min per day for 21 days while the control group continued their routine activities. Ten minute eyes closed EEG (theta 4‐7 Hz, alpha 8‐12 Hz, beta 13‐30 Hz) and tonic GSR were recorded at baseline (pre) and on last day of intervention (post) and analysed with a 2 (Time) × 3 (Group) repeated measures ANOVA, emphasising partial η² and within group Cohen's d. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between groups. EEG analyses showed no significant main or interaction effects (all p > 0.35; η²ₚ ≤ 0.29). Small increases in theta and alpha were observed in the Heartfulness group (|dz| ≤ 0.23), slight decreases in the Bell group, and minimal change in controls. GSR showed a significant time effect (F₁,₆ = 7.79, p = 0.032, η²ₚ = 0.57) and a large, near‐significant Time × Group interaction (p = 0.069, η²ₚ = 0.59). Bell meditation produced the greatest reduction in GSR (‐3.90 µS, dz = ‐1.37), compared to heartfulness (‐0.63 µS, dz = ‐0.32) and control (‐0.19 µS). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: In university students without prior meditation experience, bell meditation elicited a marked early reduction in sympathetic arousal, while Heartfulness meditation produced modest autonomic and minimal EEG effects. Larger and longer‐duration studies are recommended to elucidate technique‐specific mechanisms and their behavioural significance further.