Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

9-2026

Abstract

Flow, an optimal experience characterized by deep immersion and engagement in an activity, has been extensively studied in behavioral research. However, its neural dynamic mechanism remains poorly understood. In a within-subject video gaming experiment, we captured neural activity underlying flow, boredom, and anxiety using a 64-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) system. Compared to boredom and anxiety, flow exhibits the highest global functional connectivity, metastability, and dimensionality of dynamic functional connectivity patterns, suggesting that flow is a highly adaptable process that is supported by high-dimensional neural dynamics. Unlike previous studies that focused on identifying static or localized brain activity, we examine the neural dynamic patterns of flow and propose the Global Dynamic Flow Model that characterizes flow as a highdimensional, global metastable neural activity. Our study offers novel insights into the role of highdimensionality and global metastability in brain activity associated with the flow experience.

Keywords

flow experience, global dynamic flow model, dynamic functional connectivity, complex networks, metastability, dimensionality, electroencephalography, EEG, video gaming, neural dynamics

Discipline

Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces | Psychology

Research Areas

Information Systems and Management

Areas of Excellence

Digital transformation

Publication

NeuroImage

Volume

338

First Page

1

Last Page

15

ISSN

1053-8119

Identifier

10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122049

Publisher

Elsevier

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122049

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