• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study aims to assess the effects of incense smokes of 'Cheung-Woon'(consists of several kind of herbal powder) on autonomic nervous system activity and attention in healthy individuals. Methods : A total of 48 healthy volunteers participated in this study. The volunteers were examined with heart rate variability (HRV) before and after incense smokes inhalation of 'Cheung-Woon'. HRV measured the mean RR, mean HR, SDNN, VLF, LF, HF, TP, norm LF, norm HF, and LF/HF ratio. 'Cheung-Woon' consists of 7 herbal powders, known for useful effect on attention. Results : After inhalation smokes of 'Cheung-Woon', the mean RR, and mean HR were decreased and SDNN, VLF, LF, TP were increased, but it's not significant. Further, HF, and norm HF were decreased, and LF/HF ratio, and norm LF was increased significantly (p<0.01). Conclusions : This results (Ed note: 'this result' or 'these results') show that incense smokes inhalation of 'Cheung-Woon' is an effective way of decreasing parasympathetic nervous activity and increasing sympathetic activity and attention.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.33-48
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study aimed to assess the effects of incense smokes of 'Cheung-Woon' on the concentration and EEG in healthy individuals. Methods : A total of 48 healthy volunteers participated in this study. The volunteers were examined with K-MAS, CBT(Corsi block tapping task), and EEG before and after smelling the incense smokes of 'Cheung-Woon'. K-MAS measured the recalled words, and CBT measured the recalled positions and orders of the color boxes. EEG measured the relative power of ${\theta}$ wave, ${\alpha}$ wave, SMR wave, mid-${\beta}$ wave, high-${\beta}$ wave, ${\gamma}$ wave and T(concentraion index T = (SMR wave + mid-${\beta}$ wave) / ${\theta}$ wave). 'Cheung-Woon' consists of 7 herbal powder, known as a useful effect on the concentration and memory. Results : After smelling 'Cheung-Woon', K-MAS were increased significantly(p<0.05). In relative power of ${\theta}$ wave, F4, T3, and P4 were decreased significantly(p<0.05) and P3 was also decreased significantly(p<0.01). In the relative power of ${\alpha}$ wave, SMR wave, and mid-${\beta}$ wave, the values were not significant. In the relative power of high-${\beta}$ wave, Fp1, and P4 were increased significantly(p<0.05). In relative power of ${\gamma}$ wave, T3 were increased significantly (p<0.05). In T value, F4, T3, T4, and P4 were increased significantly(p<0.05) and P3 were also increased significantly(p<0.01). Conclusions : This results show that smelling incense smokes of 'Cheung-Woon' is an effective way of increasing concentration and memory.