Chinese calligraphy has been scientifically investigated within the contexts and principles of psychology, cognitive science, and the cognitive neuroscience. On the basis of vast amount of research in the last 30 years, we have developed a cybernetic theory of handwriting and calligraphy to account for the intricate interactions of several psychological dimensions involved in the dynamic act of graphic production. Central to this system of writing are the role of sensory, bio-, cognitive, and neurofeedback mechanisms for the initiation, guidance, and regulation of the writing motions vis-a-vis visual-geometric variations of Chinese characters. This experiment provided the first evidence of cortical excitation in EEG theta wave as a neural hub that integrates information coming from changes in the practitioner's body, emotions, and cognition. In addition, it has also confirmed neurofeedback as an essential component of the cybernetic theory of handwriting and calligraphy.

BackgroundThis study investigated the treatment effects of calligraphy therapy on childhood survivors of the 2008 Sichuan earthquakes in the People’s Republic of China.MethodsIn experiment 1, 129 children participated in a 30-day calligraphic training, and 81 children were controls. The Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale was adopted to assess behavioral effects. Experiment 2 involved 41 treatment subjects and 39 controls, with the same procedure as in experiment 1 except that salivary cortisol level was also measured as a physiological indicator.ResultsAfter 30 days of calligraphy treatment, the arousal symptoms and salivary cortisol levels in the experimental group decreased from 5.72±0.31 and 13.34±2.88 to 4.98±0.31 and 9.99±2.81, respectively. In the control group, there was not a significant decrease from pretest to post-test. In addition, the arousal scores in posttest (4.98±4.39) were significantly lower than midtest (5.71±4.14) for girls; in contrast, for boys, posttest (4.90±4.24) showed little change compared with midtest (5.04±4.36), but both were significantly lower than pretest (6.42±4.59).ConclusionsCalligraphy therapy was effective in reducing hyperarousal symptoms among child survivors.

IntroductionThis study investigated the efficacy of Chinese calligraphy handwriting (CCH) for the awakening of patients under a vegetative state after stroke. The theories, the instrument, and the treatment protocols were reported. A single case of a severe stroke patient who was in a coma state for 2 years is presented in this study. The objectives were to apply finger writing as a new method to awaken a stroke patient in a coma state and to test the effect of this method in improving the patient’s vegetative states over time.Case presentationA 55-year-old man suffered a severe stroke in 2004 which left him in a coma for 2 years without any systematic rehabilitation. A culture-based finger-writing method of visual-spatial intervention was then applied to improve his condition. The writing tasks involved aided viewing and finger tracing of sets of innovative characters with enriched visual-spatial and movement characteristics. Following regular treatment protocols involving diverse movement and sensory feedback, the patient was awakened after 12 months. As a consequence, the patient showed significant behavioral changes favoring enhanced focusing, alertness, visual scan, visual span, and quickened visual and motor responses. The treatment continued for another 12 months. As the treatment progressed, we gradually observed improvements in his attention span and mental concentration. His eye ball movements – the left eye in particular – were quickened and showed wider visual angularity in his focal vision. Currently, the patient can now watch television, engage in improved visual sighting, and focus on visual-spatial and cognitive-linguistic materials.ConclusionThis CCH method of training by finger tracking has shown its effectiveness in awakening the patient from his coma state and in producing long-term, clinical outcomes that were similar from those that took place 10 years ago. This finding supports the efficacy of the system for clinical improvement of the patient’s conditions.

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: 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.