First Results: July, 2008

Are changes in the body, mind, spirit, and well being noticed by students new to T’ai Chi Chih – and are they noticeably different from the time they begin their first class to the time they complete their last class? This is what the TCC Student Reaction Questionnaire measures.

A group of teachers and teacher candidates began to explore how to document the anecdotal changes we regularly hear from students when they start practicing TCC. During a 2006 teacher accreditation class we talked about ways to document changes that students reported were attributed to TCC. We continued brainstorming during the 2006 and 2007 teacher conferences, and Lorraine Lepine agreed to carry the project forward.

With input from Pam, Antonia, and several teachers, the questionnaire was developed, field-tested, revised, and field-tested again. Teachers voluntarily began using it at the start and finish of their courses, and then they sent their pre- and post-tests to us for analysis. Early participating teachers include Viola Bens, Nancy Jo Bleier, Julie Buffalo, Jerry Bumbalough, Caroline Guillot, Donna McElhose, Judith Mirczak, Vicki Schroeder, and Anita Vestal. All teachers are invited to use it.

The survey consists of 12 questions with a nine-point rating scale. Students are asked to rate various physical conditions: energy level, frequency of headaches, back or joint pain, balance and coordination, physical discomfort, and quality of sleep. One question focuses on TCC’s mental aspects, asking students to rate their focus and clarity. Spiritual aspects are probed with questions about creativity and the level of spirituality in the student’s life. Students are also asked to rate their level of accomplishment, reaction to stress, feelings of well-being, and satisfaction with life.

Classes were conducted throughout North America between February 2007 and May 2008, and we received 298 surveys for analysis through the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Services.) We analyzed 173 Pre-TCC and 116 Post-TCC questionnaires. Nine of the 298 surveys came from repeating students. Early results are promising. Comparing means of the scores that students rated themselves from 1 (low) to 9 (high), we found a significant difference when comparing means of positive aspects from the first versus last class. We’d hope to see high ratings for the positive aspect questions, such as creativity or energy level, and we did. There was also a significant difference in pain levels comparing means from the first versus last class. Students rated themselves lower on the pain and discomfort questions for the last class than the first. The next question we hope to answer is: can we confirm the validity of these feelings of improved aspects? Stay tuned.