A Living
Research Lab
Evaluating how the repetitive somatic practices of Nakshi Kantha stitching, clay molding, and loom-weaving mediate neuro-rehabilitation and psychological healing for survivors of trauma in Bangladesh.
Longitudinal empirical study — art therapy, peer support & psychiatric rehabilitation — Rajshahi, Bangladesh
About the Study
Moner Kaj translates cultural craft production into clinical frameworks.
Moner Kaj translates cultural craft production into a scalable, clinically transparent framework for neurodivergent and psychiatric rehabilitation within climate-vulnerable communities. We track how standardized art therapy and structured peer support mediate psychiatric rehabilitation and bereavement coping — mapping real-time data onto validated psychological recovery trajectories.
Clinical & Socioeconomic Tracks
Domain 01
Clinical Efficacy
Symptom tracking across depression, anxiety, trauma integration. Executive function and emotional regulation measurement via behavioral activation scales.
Domain 02
Economic Mobility
Financial autonomy transformation from <2,000 BDT to 8,000-12,000 BDT/month. Direct digital payments via bKash/Nagad.
Domain 03
Social Inclusion
Isolation-to-integration measurement. Group co-regulation hours, family dynamic shifts, identity transformation tracking.
Domain 04
Resilience & Grief
Bereavement coping trajectories in climate-displaced populations. Creative expression as grief mediator. Long-term emotional resilience pathways.
Research Registry
Grief Integration Timelines in Climate-Displaced Populations
Longitudinal interviews and narrative mapping across relocation milestones.
Economic Agency as Mediator of Psychiatric Symptom Reduction
Regression analysis of income stability, autonomy, and symptom severity.
Peer Support Efficacy in Low-Resource Community Settings
Observational study of facilitator training and participant retention.
Neurodivergent Rehabilitation Outcomes via Cultural Craft Production
Mixed-methods evaluation of vocational readiness and sensory regulation.
Comparative Analysis of Art Therapy Modalities on Trauma Processing
Controlled comparison of drawing, collage, and narrative-based protocols.
Longitudinal Social Reintegration Patterns Post-Intervention
Follow-up survey tracking employment, housing, and social network stability.
Our Ongoing Studies
Grief & Art Therapy
Climate-displaced women
Year 2 · n=54
Economic Agency
Income as symptom mediator
Year 1 · n=127
Peer Support
Scaling in low-resource settings
18 months · n=38
Social Reintegration
Family dynamic shifts
Year 2 · n=89
Narrative Shifts
"She came to us unable to hold a needle. After three months of daily Kantha stitching, she leads the morning circle and teaches new members. Her family now introduces her as an artist, not a patient."
Identity Reconstruction
From 'burden' to 'breadwinner' and 'cultural custodian'. Documented across 89% of active participants.
Family Dynamic Shifts
Qualitative focus groups show movement from exclusion to respect. Average family perception change: 7.2 months.
Community Integration
Peer-worker logs document average 340% increase in voluntary social interactions within 6 months.
Empirical Therapeutic Components
01 / SOMATIC
Creative Modalities
Nakshi Kantha stitching, painting, weaving as non-verbal emotional regulation. Tactile focus reduces acute anxiety.
02 / SOCIAL
Group Co-Regulation
Communal hubs combat isolation. Mirroring, collective rhythm, peer-led validation.
03 / STRUCTURAL
Routine Architecture
Predictable creative milestones restore mastery, purpose, structural consistency.
Clinical, Social & Economic Improvement
Clinical Efficacy
84.2% symptom reduction
Longitudinal tracking shows marked improvement across depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and trauma integration (PCL-5). Executive function and emotional regulation show sustained gains over 18-month engagement.
Economic Mobility
4.2× income growth
Artisans transition from under 2,000 BDT/month in volatile informal labor to 8,000–12,000 BDT/month sustainable income via bKash/Nagad digital payments. Financial autonomy correlates with psychiatric symptom reduction.
Social Inclusion
340% more social interaction
Reduced community isolation measured through group co-regulation hours. Family dynamics shift from viewing individual as financial burden to respected breadwinner and cultural custodian within 7.2 months average.
How We Collect Data
Psychometric Check-ins
Daily validated self-report via PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5 instruments
Peer-Worker Narrative Logs
Qualitative observations on cognitive processing and behavioral shifts
Engagement Milestones
Session attendance, motor engagement, craft complexity indices
Economic Tracking
Income records, payment frequency, spending pattern analysis via bKash/Nagad
Focus Group Transcripts
Monthly community sessions documenting family and social dynamics
Biometric Indicators
Arousal markers, sleep quality, somatic symptom frequency
Exploratory Studies
How Color Influences Mental Health
Exploring how exposure to specific color palettes from traditional Bengali craft shapes mood, focus and emotional regulation.
Ornamental Jewellery & Psychological Well-being
Examining how traditional jewellery-making practices and the wearing of ornaments shape self-image and social confidence.
Climate Influence on Clothing & Jewellery Selection
Studying how seasonal monsoon cycles, humidity and temperature shifts guide what people choose to wear and adorn.
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