Abstract
Previous studies have shown that perennial Chan training leads to
improvements in brain functioning. However, few studies have
investigated the effects of short-term Huatou Chan training. The
current study explored the effects of a three-day Huatou Chan
training on physical and emotional health, as well as brain state.
Seventy healthy subjects were recruited and divided into two groups: the
Huatou Chan group and the Control group. The Huatou Chan
group received a 3-day Huatou Chan training, while the Control
group waited for three days. Both groups completed a 6-min Brain State
Index recording, the SCL-90, the Brief Profile of Mood State, the
Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and the Index of Well-being, prior to and
after the training or waiting period. Results showed that short-term
Huatou Chan training had significant benefits on physical and
emotional health (somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression,
hostility, and psychoticism), negative emotions (tension-anxiety,
depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia, and
confusion-bewilderment), well-being, and attitude towards life. In
addition, short-term Chan training can significantly improve
brain state, as shown by the index of depression, anxiety, alerting,
intelligence, and sleep disorder. To our knowledge, this is the first
study to provide direct evidence for the benefits of short-term
intensive Huatou Chan training on physical and mental
health.