Date

8-29-2025

Department

School of Health Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)

Chair

Shannon Williamson

Keywords

Mindfulness, Breathwork, Neurofeedback, NeurOptimal, Longevity of Life using a Holistic Approach, Alternative Health Care, Polyvagal Theory, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Brainwaves, Delta, Alpha, Theta, Beta, Gamma, Healing Domains, Neural Pathways, CAN, High Ventilation Breathwork, Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Holotropic Breathwork (HB), Central Executive Network (CEN), Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS), Stress, Anxiety, Depression (S.A.D.), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Salience Networks (SN), Types of Breathwork, Neurofeedback Protocol, Music with Breathwork, Essential Oils with Breathwork, Body Bulletin Points with Breathwork, Vagus Nerve and Parasympathetic Activation with Breathwork, Limbic System with Breathwork, Neuroplasticity and Healing, Somatic Integration, Autonomic Regulation and Emotional Resilience, Virtual Mindfulness, Virtual Breathwork, Rationale for Qualitative Methods, Neurofeedback Tools Used in Qualitative Research, Focus Groups, Interviews, Observations, Data Analysis, Ethical Considerations, Emotional Regulation, Sensory Awareness, Spiritual Connection, Physiological Improvement, Delimitations and Limitations, Recommendation for Future Research

Disciplines

Health Information Technology | Philosophy

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the holistic impact of mindfulness, breathwork, and neurofeedback on individuals experiencing a range of emotional and physical health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, cardiovascular symptoms, and other chronic illnesses. This investigation is grounded in multiple theoretical frameworks, including the Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 2009), Cognitive Theory (Beck, 1963), Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow et al., 1943), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Kabat-Zinn, 1990), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linehan, 1993). A total of 28 participants, approved through IRB review, engaged in 24 sessions across 30 days, divided between in-person and virtual formats. Breathwork and mindfulness interventions were delivered universally, while neurofeedback was selectively introduced to a subset of participants. Data collection included session transcripts, observational field notes, open-ended questionnaires, and post-session interviews. Thematic analysis revealed dominant patterns of emotional regulation, sensory awareness, spiritual connection, and physiological improvement. Participants reported reductions in stress, enhanced respiratory function, lowered blood pressure, emotional release, and improved endurance. Findings suggest that integrating mindfulness, breathwork, and neurofeedback may offer a non-invasive, accessible, and cost-effective pathway for emotional resilience and physiological healing in individuals facing trauma-related and chronic health challenges.

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