A comparative study on the differences in cognitive functions between Fire Element and Water Element among the Five Element people

Abstract

Objective  To investigate the cognitive functions and processing disparities between individuals dominated by the Fire Element and those dominated by the Water Element, based on the theory of the Five Elements in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The objective is to lay a foundation for further enriching the theoretical framework of TCM's Five Elements theory and advancing the development of a localized personality theory model in China. Methods  Participants were recruited and screened  by using the previously devised “Quantitative Standard for Facial Phenotypic Classification of TCM Five Elements People” to identify typical individuals dominated by the Fire and Water Elements. Cognitive performance was assessed by using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) cognitive function assessment tool, along with the Top-down and Bottom-up cognitive psychological test paradigms. Independent sample t-tests were employed to analyze cognitive function differences between the two participant groups. Results  Of the recruited participants, 24 were classified as Fire Element individuals and 20 as Water Element individuals. In comparison to the Water Element group, the Fire Element group exhibited significantly higher scores in the attention function dimension. In RBANS cognitive tasks, the Fire Element group achieved higher scores in digit span and coding tasks. In the Bottom-up cognitive psychological test paradigm, the Fire Element group displayed shorter reaction times and higher accuracy in long-term cognitive processing. In contrast, Water Element individuals demonstrated a statistically significant negative difference in accuracy in short-term processing (P < 0.05). Conclusion  In the Five elements of traditional Chinese medicine, the Five Elements group is more likely to be highly focused and attracted by the cue, but the attention maintenance time is shorter. At the same time, the Water Elements group has a longer attention reaction time, is less likely to be affected by the cue, and the attention stability is stronger.

Keywords

traditional Chinese medicine five element people / cognitive function / Top-down / Bottom-up