Purpose: To investigate the intervention effects of using traditional Chinese Guqin music and Chinese Calligraphy handwriting (CCH) for patients with Primary Insomnia. Methods: A total of ninety patients were assigned to control group, Guqin group, and calligraphy group for 8 weeks. For 5 days a week, patients’ heart rate variability (HRV) and frontal midline (FZ) electroencephalographic signals were recorded in a clinic during interventional period while either listening to Guqin music or writing calligraphy. Patients in the control group remained in rest condition. Results: For the Guqin group, the higher low-frequency-range HRV of coherence was found with marginal significance (P = 0.055), and heart rate was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) during the 4th week in listening to Guqin music compared to the prerest period. For listening to Guqin music or calligraphy intervention, FZ δ, FZ θ, and FZ α waves in the 8th week compared to the 0th week (Pre Intervention) showed a significantly enhanced effect (P < 0.05). Between the three groups, for heart rate and FZ δ and FZ θ waves, calligraphy group showed significantly increased heart rate than the Guqin group (P < 0.001)and the control group (P = 0.004); increased FZ δ wave than the Guqin group (P < 0.001) and the control group (P < 0.001); and increased FZ θ wave than the Guqin group (P = 0.024) and the control group (P = 0.008) respectively. Conclusion: Positive intervention effects on HRV coherence of Guqin music; FZ δ, FZ θ, and FZ α waves of Guqin music and calligraphy proved that Guqin music together with calligraphy training helping to promote physical and mental health, thereby it contributes to the clinical application of TCM Psychology for patients with insomnia syndrome.

Introduction. Previous research shows that brush Chinese calligraphy handwriting (CCH) improves one's cognitive functions as well as emotional and mental health. Similarly, Guqin, the popular Chinese musical instrument, induces positive emotions and emotional stability. The present study tested the efficacy of using the index finger to achieve similar mind-body changes. Methods. We employed a heart rate variability (HRV) Calligraphy-Guqin biofeedback intervention that was implemented with a Zephyr HxM Bluetooth chest heart rate monitoring device and an Android smartphone. A web-based HRV big database app stored the data from three consecutive sessions: (1) 5 min of Guqin music listening; (2) 5 min of CCH finger writing of calligraphy; and (3) again 5 min of Guqin music listening. The second session was designed to explore additive effects of the fingerwriting task. One subject participated with the index finger employed for the writing task. Results. The results showed that the first and third Guqin sessions elicited 55% and 68% HRV coherences, respectively, while the CCH finger writing in the second session elicited 31% of high HRV coherence. The increase in HRV coherence between the two Guqin sessions was attributed to the calligraphy finger writing training effect. The practice of finger writing contributed to increased HRV regulation through heightened attention and concentration.

Purpose: This study compared the relative effectiveness of Chinese calligraphy handwriting (CCH) and acupuncture in the treatment of patients with senile dementia. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 17 mild-to-moderate dementia patients with an average age of 77.29 years were randomly assigned with 9 to the calligraphy handwriting group and 8 to the acupuncture treatment group for a month of consecutive treatment. The participants’ cognitive abilities, as well as symptoms of senile dementia, were measured by the Chinese version of the Mini-mental State Examination (CMMSE) and the Chinese Medicine Quantitative Diagnostic Survey for Senile Dementia Symptoms, respectively, before and after the treatment. Results: The calligraphy group showed a significant increase in calculation and memory as well as a decline in the symptoms of senile dementia. Patients in the acupuncture group experienced a significant growth in total CMMSE scores and the subscales in orientation to time and place, behavioral operations, as well as reduced clinical symptoms. However, no significant changes were found in their memory and calculation abilities. Conclusion: Both CCH and acupuncture treatments were found significantly effective for, respectively, enhancing the patients’ cognitive abilities and reducing their clinical symptoms. Further, calligraphy handwriting also improved the level of their attention and concentration, physical relaxation, and emotional stability.