Shaolin Dan Tian Breathing Fosters Relaxed and Attentive Mind

NCT ID: NCT00988702

Last Updated: 2009-10-02

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2008-10-31
• Study Completion Date: 2010-12-31

Brief Summary

The present study aimed to utilize these well-known neuroelectrophysiological techniques to investigate the relatively less studied Shaolin Dan Tian Breathing (DTB) technique.

Detailed Description

Neuroelectrophysiological studies on various types of meditative breathing revealed its association with either a relaxing (i.e., enhanced alpha asymmetry) or an attentive state (i.e., enhanced intra- and inter-hemispheric theta coherence). The present study aimed to utilize these well-known neuroelectrophysiological techniques to investigate the relatively less studied Shaolin Dan Tian Breathing (DTB) technique. This technique consists of two components -- Passive DTB and Active DTB, and is considered not only as a relaxation exercise but also a form of Qigong. Based upon some pilot neuroimaging data and clinical observation, it was hypothesized that after familiarizing with the method, practicing DTB can induce both relaxing and attentive states. Twenty-two adults received training on the DTB (experimental group) for one month. They were instructed to practice the technique daily, and at each practice, until they felt warm and/or relaxed. Twenty age-, gender- and education-matched adults receiving conventional progressive muscle relaxation training were recruited as control. All participation was voluntary. Quantitative EEG and bio-physiological data were collected at baseline and post training. Eyes-closed resting EEG data before and immediately after each type of breathing were obtained individually at two time points.

Conditions

Attention; Electroencephalography

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Dan Tian Breathing

subjects received one-month's training on the Dan Tian Breathing

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dan Tian Breathing

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Dan Tian Breathing for one month

Progressive muscle relaxation training

Subjects received one-month's conventional progressive muscle relaxation training

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Progressive muscle training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Progressive muscle training for one month

Interventions

Dan Tian Breathing

Dan Tian Breathing for one month

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Progressive muscle training

Progressive muscle training for one month

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Dan Tian; Shaolin; muscle training; relaxation

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• healthy controls
• age 20 to 60 years

Exclusion Criteria

• history of head injury,
• seizure,
• stroke,
• other CNS diseases or psychiatric illnesses of psychosis or mania.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Chinese University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Principal Investigators

Agnes S Chan, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The ChineseUniversity of Hong Kong

Other Identifiers

Chanwuyi-0006

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id