Mindfulness Projects

Dejian Mind-Body Intervention for Autism

Executive dysfunctions are largely connected with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) syndromes, however there are not many interventions in treating the core neuropsychological aspect of the disorder. Dejian Mind Body Intervention (DMBI) as the emerging technique in treating mental disorders was proved to show significant results in autistic children. To search for more findings between autism and executive functioning, this paper used Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), with DMBI as experimental group and PEERS as control group, to find out the treatment effects of both experiments in terms of executive functioning.

The pilot study contained 20 participants aged between 10 and 16. They were distributed into two groups: 10 participants including a female in DMBI group and 10 males in PEERS group. The treatments in both groups were administered once per week for 12 sessions. In DMBI group, the participants attended activities including Chan practice (self-control and self- awareness psychoeducation), Nei Yang Gong practice (body exercises), diet adjustment and bodily orifices clearing. Participants in PEERS group were educated with how to make friends. Parents of the children took part in the treatments for three times bilaterally. Before the first treatment and after the final one, treatment effects were measured by five neuropsychological tests and standardized questionnaires.

The results showed that DMBI group showed better improvements in executive functioning than the PEERS group.

Research Initiatives

Innovative studies on mindfulness and AI for asians.

Practicing Gratitude in China: A Quantitative Study for Tailored Interventions

Asian spiritual practices are significantly underrepresented in psychological research, highlighting a gap given the cultural diversity in global mental health. While Western approaches dominate, the unique cultural and spiritual dimensions of Chinese contexts remain largely unexplored (Niu et al., 2022). This issue is especially relevant in China, where spiritual practices, despite low religious identification, profoundly influence both societal and individual perspectives (Chao & Yang, 2018). With the globalization of mental health services, it is crucial to develop culturally sensitive interventions. In Chinese culture, gratitude is deeply rooted in Confucianism and embodies a virtue of social harmony, especially through the concept of 'ren' (仁), or benevolence (Hunsaker, 2016). Understanding these cultural nuances will aid in crafting interventions that respect and resonate with Chinese cultural values. Here are the specific aims:

1. Identify and compare the conceptualizations of gratitude between Chinese and Western cultures. This aim seeks to define specific attributes, expressions, and practices of gratitude in both contexts to reveal differences that could impact the success of psychological interventions.

2. Examine the implications of cultural differences in gratitude on its practice. This objective explores how these cultural differences shape the expression and reception of gratitude, affecting individual well-being and social harmony, and how they might inform more relevant intervention designs.

3. Develop recommendations for future interventions incorporating gratitude tailored to the Chinese cultural context. Using insights from the first two aims, this goal proposes practical strategies for integrating gratitude into culturally sensitive psychological interventions that align with Chinese values and practices.

AI, Spirituality and Public Trust

This project aims to examine the relationship between public trust, artificial intelligence (AI), and government policy, with a focus on how regulations affect public perceptions of AI. Additionally, it explores how spirituality and religious beliefs influence trust in AI, investigating how spiritual perspectives may shape the ethical development and societal acceptance of AI.

Research Findings

1. Public Trust and AI Governance: Government policies and transparency play a crucial role in fostering public trust in AI, with ethical guidelines and inclusive design being significant factors. Findings suggest that public education and transparent practices are essential for building trust.

2. Spirituality’s Role in Trust: Spiritual beliefs intersect with technological ethics, affecting perceptions of AI. Spiritual values, such as attachment to concepts of trust and moral frameworks, provide insights into how public trust in AI can be shaped through an ethical lens that respects cultural and spiritual beliefs.

3. Lab Insights and Reflections: Engaging in spirituality-focused practices, such as meditation during lab meetings, enhanced the researchers' reflections on the abstract and often intangible nature of trust—mirroring the complexities of trust in AI and its perceived reality.