Shaolin Dan Tian Breathing Fosters Relaxed and Attentive Mind

Shaolin Dan Tian Breathing Fosters Relaxed and Attentive Mind: A Randomized Controlled Neuroelectrophysiological Study

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

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Attention; Electroencephalography
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Dan Tian Breathing; Behavioral: Progressive muscle training

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 100
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 1

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 60 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dan Tian Breathing; subjects received one-month's training on the Dan Tian Breathing	Behavioral: Dan Tian Breathing; Dan Tian Breathing for one month; Other Names: Dan Tian; Shaolin
Active Comparator: Progressive muscle relaxation training; Subjects received one-month's conventional progressive muscle relaxation training	Behavioral: Progressive muscle training; Progressive muscle training for one month; Other Names: muscle training; relaxation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Quantitative electroencephalography	Before and after one month's training

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Bio-physiological measures	Before and after one month's training

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Collaborators: Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Agnes S Chan, PhD, The ChineseUniversity of Hong Kong

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: October 1, 2008
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 30, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 1, 2009
• First Posted (Estimate): October 2, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): October 2, 2009
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 1, 2009
• Last Verified: October 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: progressive muscle relaxation; Monitoring, Physiologic; Dan Tian Breathing; Physiological measurement
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Aspiration
• Other Study ID Numbers: Chanwuyi-0006