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. 2014 Feb 13:7:47-52.
doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S55743. eCollection 2014.

Calligraphy and meditation for stress reduction: an experimental comparison

Henry Kao Sr  1 , Lin Zhu  2 , An An Chao  3 , Hao Yi Chen  4 , Ivy Cy Liu  5 , Manlin Zhang  6
Affiliations

Calligraphy and meditation for stress reduction: an experimental comparison

Henry Kao Sr et al. Psychol Res Behav Manag. .

Abstract

Background: Chinese calligraphic handwriting (CCH) has demonstrated a new role in health and therapy. Meanwhile, meditation is an traditional and effective method for coping with stress and staying healthy. This study compared the effectiveness of CCH and meditation as distinctive and parallel stress reduction interventions.

Methods: Thirty graduate students and academic staff members in Taiwan who suffered from stress were selected by the General Health Questionnaire and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, ie, a CCH group, a meditation group, or a control group, for 8 consecutive weeks. Changes in physiological parameters were measured before, during, and after treatment.

Results: CCH and meditation showed their strength in the respective indices of stress. There was a significant difference in respiratory rate, heart rate, and electromyographic scores between the groups. Comparing pre- and post-effects, a decrease in heart rate and an increase in skin temperature was seen in subjects who practiced CCH. Increased skin temperature and decreased respiratory rate were also seen in subjects who practiced meditation, along with reduced muscle tension and heart rate.

Conclusion: CCH and meditation have good effects in stress reduction. CCH is a particularly promising new approach to reducing stress.

Keywords: calligraphic handwriting; intervention; meditation; stress reduction.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Standard treatment procedure for calligraphy and meditation. Notes: Stroop test is a demonstration of interference in the reaction time of a task. When the name of a color (eg, “blue,” “green,” or “red”) is printed in a color not denoted by the name (eg, the word “red” printed in blue ink instead of red ink). Participants are asked to identify the printed color. It will arouse some stress states after finishing the Stroop test. Abbreviations: mins, minutes; secs, seconds.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Heart rate pre- and post-treatment for the three groups. Abbreviation: CCH, Chinese calligraphic handwriting.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Electromyograghic (EMG) pre- and post-treatment for three groups. Abbreviation: CCH, Chinese calligraphic handwriting.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Skin temperature (ST) pre- and post-treatment for three groups. Abbreviation: CCH, Chinese calligraphic handwriting.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Respiration rate (RR) pre- and post-treatment for the three groups. Abbreviation: CCH, Chinese calligraphic handwriting.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Kao HSR. Chinese Calligraphy Therapy. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press; 2000.
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    1. Kao HSR, Chen CC, Chang TM. The effect of calligraphy practice on character recognition reaction time among children with ADHD disorder. In: Roth R, editor. Psychologists Facing the Challenge of a Global Culture with Human Rights and Mental Health; Presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Council of Psychologists; Graz, Austria. July 14–18, 1997.
    1. Kao HSR. Chinese calligraphy handwriting for health and rehabilitation of the elderly; Presented at the Second World Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Prague, Czech Republic. May 18–22, 2003.
    1. Kao HSR, Gao D, Wang M. Brush handwriting treatment of cognitive deficiencies in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Neurobiol Aging. 2000;21(Suppl 1):14.

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