The Journal of the International Society of Chinese Health Practices

The Wearable Sensors and Virtual Reality for Tai Chi and Qigong Intervention Research (We Sense Tai Chi): Feasibility Study

admin admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) interventions as mind-body exercise have increasingly demonstrated a spectrum of health benefits, but few were assessed using objective measurements, such as wearable sensors. In addition, Tai Chi instruction provided with live online and recorded videos increases accessibility but has some challenges. For example, participants can only see Tai Chi movements in two dimensions when watching a video compared to three dimensions when participating in an in-person class. There is also a limited experience of being part of a group when the Tai Chi classes are viewed online. Virtual reality has the potential to improve the experience of recorded Tai Chi classes, but Tai Chi research has not yet used this technology. The current study examined the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable sensors and virtual reality (VR) videos to deliver a remotely delivered TCQ intervention for older adults. This 2-week feasibility study enrolled 16 participants who were 50 years or older. Half of them had practiced Tai Chi for over one year and the other half had never learned Tai Chi before enrolling in the study. Participants were instructed to join the TCQ intervention classes and wear sensors at home to measure their sleep and heart rate variability. All participants had a 2-hour in-person group training on how to use wearable sensors and VR headsets and completed a set of questionnaires at both the pre-intervention and post-intervention time points. The questionnaires asked for demographic information, general health, perceived stress, physical activity, and sleep quality. Focus groups were conducted to obtain a deeper understanding of the participants’ experiences using the wearable sensors and VR for the TCQ intervention. Descriptive analyses were conducted for the feasibility of using wearable sensors and VR and completing the assessments. The completion rate for all the questionnaires and focus group interviews was 100%. The results showed that older adults had high acceptance of using wearable sensors and VR headsets for TCQ intervention, and high satisfaction with participating in the study (14 out of the 16 participants feel positive or very positive). However, over one-third of the participants had some level of difficulty using sensors and VR videos. In conclusion, we found high acceptability and good feasibility of using wearable sensors and VR for TCQ intervention. Our results suggest that more training and consultations are needed to help older adults effectively use wearable sensors and VR in an intervention study.

The Great Border Project: A Proposal to Study Torsion Energy Fields (TEF’s) in Human Beings to Explain Qi

John Alton — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The Chinese history of Qi—loosely translatable as “vital force”— is fundamental for understanding not only traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but also, arguably, Chinese Civilization. However, Westerner medical and physical scientists have staunchly opposed the possibility that Qi exists. While there have been some meager studies done of Taijiquan and Qigong masters that show some ability to spontaneously regulate autonomic body functions, such as cardiovascular flow and oscillations, no Western medical researcher has shown that any Taijiquan or Qigong master can exude exceptional electromagnetic energy, beyond modest infrared radiation that others with no experience with either Taijiquan or Qigong have been able to produce.

Ironically, a new Western framework for understanding and verifying Qi has emerged over the past 50 years: Torsion Energy Field (TEF). Based on proposals put forth by Albert Einstein, along with other historic physicists (e.g., Nicoli Tesla), TEF provides a plausible concept that can be used to test both modest and extravagant claims of TCM, not only in terms of human health but in environmental management (feng shui). According to theory, TEF’s are generated by spin-spin polarity of particles (electrons, protons, molecules) that become organized in inanimate objects as complex general TEF’s that become even more complex in living organisms. When set into motion, the TEF’s generated by objects and living organisms make Torsion Waves (TW’s) that propagate infinitely across spacetime and intersect with other TEF’s, thus becoming “entangled,” despite spacetime separation.

The Great Border Project (GBP) is a research proposal to use one simple experimental method for TEF detection developed by Professor Konstantine Meyl, using a duel Tesla coil system and a wooden frame. With this simple design, Meyl was able to demonstrate that Tesla coils produce both left and right side TEF’s. Gao Peng (University of Science and Technology of China) successfully repeated Meyl’s original TEF detection experiment, supporting its viability as a method for TEF detection. The GBP proposes to adapt the work of Meyl and Peng to test the effect of various living organisms, in particular a human being, on the Telsa-coil-generated TEF’s. The short-term goal of the GBP is to show that the presence of living organisms will have distinct, measurable effects on TEF behavior generated by Tesla coils. The long-term goal is to show that the beating human heart with particular harmonics that have already been associated with Taijiquan and Qigong health benefits will emerge as reliable markers for TEF that relate to health and longevity. Such an outcome not only will help to explain the legitimacy of ancient traditional Chinese health practices, but may open a pathway for the development of a new scientific technology of Qi that can serve to the betterment of humankind.

Virtual Tai Chi program for patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: Proof-of-concept feasibility trial

Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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Exploring the Real-time Fitness Effects of Tai Chi Exercise: A Test Experiment using a Biophysical Energy Detection Device based on Five Elements Theory

Yulin Wang, Xiaolei Liu, Yutong Shen Shen, Tingting Cao — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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It’s time for psychoneuroimmunology to focus on Asian health practices and medicine:Introducing Brain, Behavior, and Immunity-Integrative

Liye Zou — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

As the founding Co-Associate Editors,the Editor-in- Chief and Elsevier, we are excited to pen this article that launches a new bio-medical research journal, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity–Integrative(BBI-Integrative). In 1987,the first Editor-in-Chief of another new journal, Robert Ader and colleagues wrote the first paper published inBrain, Behavior, and Immunity(BBI, Ader et al.,1987). In 1998, the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society(PNIRS) membership approved a resolution for BBI to become its official journal. After negotiations with leading publishing houses, on January 1,2000, BBI be-came the official journal of PNIRS (Kelley,2001). At that time, BBI wasowned by Academic Press. Within three short years, Elsevier acquire downership of BBI and appointed Keith W.Kelley as the new Editor-in-Chief. He wrote a lead editorial following his appointment(Kelley,2003). Carmine Pariante was subsequently appointed to this position in2018, at which time he laid out his goals for BBI (Pariante,2018). Two years later,the Board of Directors of PNIRS and Elsevier approved publication of the first sister journal of BBI, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity–Health (BBI-Health). Carmine Pariante and colleagues described why this sister journal of BBI was needed(Cattaneo et al,2020). Now, both PNIRS and Elsevier are expanding the scope of psychoneuroimmunology(PNI) research by launching a second official companion journal of PNIRS, BBI-Integrative. This new journal is needed because it focuses on Asian health practices and medicine.

The Taiji Tennis Method: Using Taiji Basics to Enhance Performance and Power in Western Tennis Players

John Dokken — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

World champion Novak Djokovic practices Taijichuan (Tai Chi Chuan) and meditation as part of his daily training and on-court routine, thus supporting the idea that Taijichuan can enhance tennis performance. Former University of Virginia head mens tennis coach John Dokken developed the Taiji Tennis Method (TTM) approximately 30 years ago (when Novak was still a young child) after he learned both Taijichaun and QiGong from his friend and business partner John Alton. While coaching and playing tennis, Dokken began applying the Taiji principles of relaxed , efficient movement to his own performance in regional and national playing competitions, as well as to that of his student athletes. Over the years of testing and applying Taiji principles, The TTM became the systematized approach outlined in the presentation. It illustrates basic Taiji movements that are most applicable to tennis physics and kinesiology, and cites case studies that demonstrate the efficacy and value of TTM. A few cases go beyond the mere physical aspects of the TTM and explore the possibilities of incorporating aspects of Qigong that sharpens the players awareness and anticipation of opponent on-court behavior and attitude. The TTM shows that creative integration of Taijiquan and Qigong into Western sports such as tennis benefits players and enhances appreciation of traditional Chinese health practices.

The circulation of kinesic knowledge and its representation in the practice of Chinese martial arts : Body movements as traditions, sports and collective imagery

Pierrick Porchet — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

At the crossroads of contemporary Chinese studies, martial arts studies and the anthropology of the body, this doctoral thesis reflects on body movements and technical knowledge of Chinese martial arts today. Its guiding idea is that the complex issues linked to the transmission of these traditional practices, their institutional reinterpretation and their influence on the collective imagery can be traced back in the materiality of practitioners' bodies and their movements. Based on an analysis of the circulation of kinesic knowledge through various frameworks of practice in China today, this research is divided into four parts: a theoretical reflection on the broad notion of embodiment and its application in the Social sciences and Humanities; an inventory of the major categories that define the Chinese martial arts; two studies that describe, mainly in the form of ethnographic observations, both traditional and sport practices observed in China; a reflection on the collective imagery linked to martial arts and how this can be interpreted today.

Evidence-based Mechanisms of Tai Chi to reduce falls among Older Adults

Qipeng Song — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A large body of evidence suggests that although Tai Chi is less effective at increasing strength, it is more effective at reducing falls among older adults than functional or muscular strength training approaches. There must be other mechanisms underlying the effects of Tai Chi in reducing falls, and we are trying to identify them. We propose the following mechanisms.1. Tai Chi's unique movement patterns mimic fall movements and increase resistance to falls.2. As a "mind-body" exercise, Tai Chi enhances sensations, i.e., the afferent nervous system.3. Tai Chi improves the function and microstructure of the central nervous system. Substantial evidence from our research team is presented to support these mechanisms.