Effect of Subtle Energy Transmission and Tao Calligraphy Mindfulness Practice on Mitochondrial DNA in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if a subtle energy transmission and Tao Calligraphy Mindfulness Practice works to improve mitochondrial DNA. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does Tao Calligraphy Mindfulness practice improve mitochondrial DNA content in peripheral blood leucocytes in adults? * Will this improvement of mitochondrial DNA content in peripheral blood leucocytes be statistically significant? Researchers will compare the values of mitochondrial DNA content in peripheral blood leucocytes at beginning of the mindfulness practices to the values at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of practice group. Participants will: * have blood samples will drawn at accredited institutions and analyzed for Mitochondrial DNA content in Leucocytes upon entry into the study - Baseline time point; at 3-months time point, at six-months time point and at twelve-months time point. * All participants will complete the set of 3 questionnaires upon entry into the study - Baseline time point; at 3-months time point, at six-months time point and at twelve-months time point. * Practice the Mindfulness with Tao Calligraphy minimum 30 minutes daily.

Objective The goal of this study is to measure the effects of a unique form of Tao Calligraphy mindfulness practice that involves engaging with Tao art (tracing the Tao Calligraphy "Greatest Love" while listening to or singing the Tao Music or Tao Song "Greatest Love") together with subtle energy transmission on Mitochondrial DNA in peripheral blood leucocytes. In our previous study, the participants who regularly practiced, shown an increase of the length in telomeres in peripheral blood granulocytes. In our other studies, participants reported a decrease in symptoms of their illness as perceived subjectively, improved signs reported by treating clinicians and an improvement of well-being as measured by standardized scientific questionnaires. Hypotheses The research null hypothesis is that individuals who receive subtle energy transmission for mitochondrial DNA in hemato-lymphoid tissue, and who will engage in daily Tao Calligraphy mindfulness practice for 12 months, will have no significant change in Mitochondrial DNA content in peripheral blood leucocytes in follow-up analyses and will show no improvement of well-being as measured by standardized scientific questionnaire Rand SF-36 at 3, 6 and 12 months. For statistical analysis of the data from laboratory assessment and scores obtained from questionnaires, the Anova, T-Test and regression analysis will be used to evaluate the null hypothesis. The p value will represent how unlikely the observed data would be if the null hypothesis were actually true and investigators will use them to reach conclusions. The confidence level is set at 95% and if we receive p \< 0.05, then H0 is rejected. The correlation coefficient will be used to determine any correlation between various factors (e.g. effects of age, sex, length, and frequency of mindfulness practices and other) on outcome and regression analysis will be used to determine the relation of independent and dependent variables. Tools such as the Minitabs version 14 and or Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) or Free version of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (PSPP) will be used. Background and Theoretical Framework Mitochondria are membrane bound, self-replicating organelles present in almost all eukaryotic cells. Mitochondrial energy production is essential for all cellular processes. In general, each human cell contains several hundred to 1,000 mitochondria, each with 2-10 copies of Mitochondrial DNA encoding 13 proteins essential for respiratory chain function. Thought to have originated from symbiotic ancestors, mitochondria contribute to many processes central to cellular function and dysfunction including calcium signalling, cell growth and differentiation, cell cycle control and cell death. Mitochondrial shape and positioning in cells is tightly regulated by processes of fission and fusion, biogenesis and autophagy, ensuring a relatively constant mitochondrial population. Mitochondrial inheritance is genera Покажи пълното описание...

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 19 and over * Willingness and ability to comply with data collection requirements * Submission of required documentation before entering the study, including informed consent and consent to release of information * Healthy or Ill, with the exception of genetic illnesses and cancer (for which treatments could negatively impact measurement) and serious mental disorders (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis), * Willingness to allow their data to be used for research purposes and published as deemed fit (while conforming to all applicable privacy laws) by Sha Research Foundation. * Willingness to practice the daily calligraphy meditations and follow the protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Not meeting any of the inclusion criteria * Bipolar disorders, other serious mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, psychosis), genetic illnesses (primarily affected chromosomes), and cancer (treatment could negatively impact telomere during research period) * inability to sign consent and follow instructions * Unwillingness to participate in data gathering * Unable to follow the practice regimen, including the daily calligraphy meditations * Pregnant or nursing. Participants who become pregnant during the study will be required to end their participation. (to avoid any, at current time unknown, potential negative effect of the study on the fetus). * There are no exclusion criteria placed upon potential subjects related to national origin, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, or spiritual practices.