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Zadro S, Stapleton P. Does Reiki Benefit Mental Health Symptoms Above Placebo? Front Psychol 2022; 13:897312. [PMID: 35911042 PMCID: PMC9326483 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reiki is an energy healing technique or biofield therapy in which an attuned therapist places their hands on or near the client's body and sends energy to the client to activate the body's ability to heal itself and restore balance. It was developed in Japan at the end of the 19th century by Mikao Usui of Kyoto. Given the enormous international socioeconomic burden of mental health, inexpensive, safe, and evidenced-based treatments would be welcomed. Reiki is safe, inexpensive, and preliminary research suggests it may assist in treating a wide variety of illnesses. Given that Reiki is a biofield therapy, growing in use, and not yet accepted by the dominant biomedical paradigm, it is important to establish its effectiveness over placebo. This study aimed to examine Reiki's effectiveness over placebo in treating symptoms of mental health and to explore parameters for its effectiveness. Method A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials (RPCTs) examining Reiki's effectiveness in treating symptoms of mental health in adults was conducted through a systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Revised ROB 2 assessment tool. This was followed by a grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE) assessment. Results The evidence to date suggests that Reiki consistently demonstrates a greater therapeutic effect over placebo for some symptoms of mental health. The GRADE level of evidence is high for clinically relevant levels of stress and depression, moderate to high for clinically relevant levels of anxiety, low to moderate for normal levels of stress, and low to moderate for burnout, and low for normal levels of depression and anxiety. Conclusion The results suggest that, Reiki may be more effective in treating some areas of mental health, than placebo, particularly if symptoms are clinically relevant. To date, there are a small number of studies in each area, therefore findings are inconclusive and, more RCTs controlling for placebo in Reiki research are needed. Most included studies were also assessed as having a risk of bias of some concern. Incorporating Reiki as a complementary treatment to mainstream psychotherapy for depression, stress, and anxiety may be appropriate. Systematic Review Registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/], identifier [CRD42020194311].
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Zadro
- School of Psychology, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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Matos LC, Machado JP, Monteiro FJ, Greten HJ. Perspectives, Measurability and Effects of Non-Contact Biofield-Based Practices: A Narrative Review of Quantitative Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6397. [PMID: 34199174 PMCID: PMC8296239 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Practices such as "Reiki", therapeutic touch, healing touch, and external "Qigong" have been regarded as some form of "energy medicine" or "biofield therapy". The biofield concept has been studied and debated by researchers of distinct areas of expertise, and although the phenomenon was sometimes described as physically related to electromagnetics, other factors such as "subtle energy" and focused intention might be involved. These nonconventional practices integrate contact and non-contact techniques, and those dealing with so-called distant healing interventions are perhaps the most difficult to understand and accept. Practitioners describe these so-called nonlocal interventions as involving intentional factors and particular states of consciousness. With a spiritual mindset and a particular state of awareness, compassion is said to work out as a catalyst to produce physiological and physical changes through mechanisms that are still unknown. At the body level, these vegetative changes might be related to individual self-perception variations as part of the body neurovegetative feedback system of regulation. Further mechanisms are difficult to document and measure, and might be more accessible to research by using physical signal detectors, chemical dynamics methods, detectors using biological materials, detectors using living sensors, and detectors using the human body. The growing interest in these practices and the considerable amount of research exploring their effects and clinical applications encouraged this narrative review, which aims to provide an easy to consult partial overview of the history, theory and findings of quantitative research strategies exploring non-contact biofield-based practices. This work also aims to stimulate the reader's mind with the raised hypotheses, catalyzing further research on the subject to confirm or deny the reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Carlos Matos
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa (CBSIn), Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- Centro Transdisciplinar de Estudos da Consciência (CTEC), Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pereira Machado
- Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa (CBSIn), Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Fernando Jorge Monteiro
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Henry Johannes Greten
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
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Dyer NL, Baldwin AL, Rand WL. A Large-Scale Effectiveness Trial of Reiki for Physical and Psychological Health. J Altern Complement Med 2019; 25:1156-1162. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2019.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann L. Baldwin
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona and Laboratory of Consciousness and Health, Tucson, AZ
| | - William L. Rand
- Department of Research, Center for Reiki Research, Southfield, MI
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Weiss SM, Schwartz GE. Behavioral Medicine: a retro/prospective view of the field. J Behav Med 2019; 42:5-11. [PMID: 30825085 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-018-9960-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The year 2017 was the 40th anniversary of the convening of the Yale Conference on Behavioral Medicine (Schwartz and Weiss, 1977). In honor of this defining moment in the history of the birthing of behavioral medicine as a formal integrative field of biobehavioral theories, research and applications, we were invited by the editors to take a retrospective and prospective look at the field. Recognizing that much has been written about this history over the years, we decided to write about the "back-channel," presenting never-before shared events associated with the birthing and evolution of the field in a way that would be fun to write and read. In the process we look back at the evolving definitions of behavioral medicine in light of contemporary advances and controversies in science. Our review includes a discussion of some of the present challenges/opportunities, and then considers the future with some "outside the box" possibilities. We outline some of the enormous advances which have taken place in technology since the 1970s and consider how such technologies can be transformative in redefining our field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1400 NW 10th Ave, Ste. 404, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Gary E Schwartz
- Department of Psychology, School of Mind, Brain, and Behavior, College of Science, The University of Arizona, 1503 East University Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85721-0068, USA
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McManus DE. Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2017; 22:1051-1057. [PMID: 28874060 PMCID: PMC5871310 DOI: 10.1177/2156587217728644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reviews the available clinical studies of Reiki to determine whether there is evidence for Reiki providing more than just a placebo effect. The available English-language literature of Reiki was reviewed, specifically for peer-reviewed clinical studies with more than 20 participants in the Reiki treatment arm, controlling for a placebo effect. Of the 13 suitable studies, 8 demonstrated Reiki being more effective than placebo, 4 found no difference but had questionable statistical resolving power, and only one provided clear evidence for not providing benefit. Viewed collectively, these studies provide reasonably strong support for Reiki being more effective than placebo. From the information currently available, Reiki is a safe and gentle "complementary" therapy that activates the parasympathetic nervous system to heal body and mind. It has potential for broader use in management of chronic health conditions, and possibly in postoperative recovery. Research is needed to optimize the delivery of Reiki.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E McManus
- 1 Australasian Usui Reiki Association, Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia
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Hammerschlag R, Linda Baldwin A, Schwartz GE. Human Subject Effects on Torsion Pendulum Oscillations: Further Evidence of Mediation by Convection Currents. Explore (NY) 2016; 12:436-439. [PMID: 27663217 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT When a human subject sits beneath a wire mesh, hemispheric torsion pendulum (TP) a rapid-onset series of oscillations at frequencies both higher and lower than the fundamental frequency of the TP have been consistently observed. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to replicate and extend prior findings that suggest the human subject effect on TP behavior is due to subject-generated, heat-induced convection currents. DESIGN Effects on pendulum behavior were tested after draping an aluminized "space blanket" over the subject and by replacing the subject with a thermal mattress pad shaped to approximate the human form. SETTING Experiments were performed in a basic science university research laboratory. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Real-time recordings and Fast Fourier Transform frequency spectra of pendulum oscillatory movement. RESULTS The space blanket blocked, while the mattress pad mimicked, the human subject induced complex array of pendulum oscillations. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support and strengthen previous results that suggest the effects of human subjects on behavior of a torsion pendulum are mediated by body-heat-induced air convection rather than an unknown type of biofield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hammerschlag
- The Institute for Integrative Health, Baltimore, MD; Consciousness and Healing Initiative, San Diego, CA.
| | - Ann Linda Baldwin
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Laboratory for the Advances in Consciousness & Health, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Gary E Schwartz
- Laboratory for the Advances in Consciousness & Health, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
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Gronowicz G, Bengston W, Yount G. Challenges for Preclinical Investigations of Human Biofield Modalities. Glob Adv Health Med 2015; 4:52-7. [PMID: 26665042 PMCID: PMC4654781 DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.013.suppl] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical models for studying the effects of the human biofield have great potential to advance our understanding of human biofield modalities, which include external qigong, Johrei, Reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, polarity therapy, pranic healing, and other practices. A short history of Western biofield studies using preclinical models is presented and demonstrates numerous and consistent examples of human biofields significantly affecting biological systems both in vitro and in vivo. Methodological issues arising from these studies and practical solutions in experimental design are presented. Important questions still left unanswered with preclinical models include variable reproducibility, dosing, intentionality of the practitioner, best preclinical systems, and mechanisms. Input from the biofield practitioners in the experimental design is critical to improving experimental outcomes; however, the development of standard criteria for uniformity of practice and for inclusion of multiple practitioners is needed. Research in human biofield studies involving preclinical models promises a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of biofield therapies and will be important in guiding clinical protocols and integrating treatments with conventional medical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Gronowicz
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington (Dr Gronowicz)
| | - William Bengston
- Department of Sociology, St Joseph's College, Patchogue, New York (Dr Bengston)
| | - Garret Yount
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, and Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California (Dr Yount)
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Hammerschlag R, Marx BL, Aickin M. Nontouch biofield therapy: a systematic review of human randomized controlled trials reporting use of only nonphysical contact treatment. J Altern Complement Med 2015; 20:881-92. [PMID: 25181286 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2014.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED OBJECTIVE AND CONTEXT: This review was designed to assess the quality and review the outcomes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of biofield therapies (external qigong, Healing Touch, Johrei, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch) that report using only nonphysical touch forms of treatment. RCTs of nonphysical contact biofield therapies have the potential to contribute to an evidence base for health-promoting effects mediated through mechanisms outside the present understanding of biomedicine. METHODS Articles meeting inclusion criteria were identified from database and reference list searches and evaluated for a range of reporting and design items. Data were extracted to determine the range of protocol parameters and treatment outcomes. The final set of included RCTs were evaluated via a modified 5-item Jadad scale as well as by a set of 20 criteria that included items relevant to the early-phase nature of the trials and to the examination of nonphysical touch biofield therapy interventions. RESULTS Of 90 RCTs that assessed effectiveness of a biofield therapy in humans, 28 trials involving 1775 participants met additional inclusion criteria (most importantly a clearly reported use of only nonphysical contact treatment). The research designs of these 28 trials revealed marked heterogeneity in regard to condition treated, number and duration of treatments, nature of the control/comparison group, and outcome measures. Finally, 10 trials were excluded on the basis of low quality assessment scores. Twelve of the remaining 18 trials (7 Therapeutic Touch, 3 external qigong, 1 Reiki, and 1 Healing Touch) reported at least one primary outcome with statistically significant beneficial treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The pilot study nature of essentially all the identified nonphysical contact biofield therapy RCTs, as reflected by low sample sizes alone, precludes drawing robust conclusions. Given this perspective, the finding that two thirds of the higher-scoring trials demonstrated at least partial effectiveness favors a continued research effort, especially in light of the translational value of biofield clinical trials for studies exploring the nature and physiologic basis of biofield healing.
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Golbidi S, Frisbee JC, Laher I. Chronic stress impacts the cardiovascular system: animal models and clinical outcomes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015; 308:H1476-98. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00859.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Psychological stresses are associated with cardiovascular diseases to the extent that cardiovascular diseases are among the most important group of psychosomatic diseases. The longstanding association between stress and cardiovascular disease exists despite a large ambiguity about the underlying mechanisms. An array of possibilities have been proposed including overactivity of the autonomic nervous system and humoral changes, which then converge on endothelial dysfunction that initiates unwanted cardiovascular consequences. We review some of the features of the two most important stress-activated systems, i.e., the humoral and nervous systems, and focus on alterations in endothelial function that could ensue as a result of these changes. Cardiac and hematologic consequences of stress are also addressed briefly. It is likely that activation of the inflammatory cascade in association with oxidative imbalance represents key pathophysiological components of stress-induced cardiovascular changes. We also review some of the commonly used animal models of stress and discuss the cardiovascular outcomes reported in these models of stress. The unique ability of animals for adaptation under stressful conditions lessens the extrapolation of laboratory findings to conditions of human stress. An animal model of unpredictable chronic stress, which applies various stress modules in a random fashion, might be a useful solution to this predicament. The use of stress markers as indicators of stress intensity is also discussed in various models of animal stress and in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Golbidi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; and
| | - Jefferson C. Frisbee
- Center for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ismail Laher
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; and
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Hammerschlag R, Jain S, Baldwin AL, Gronowicz G, Lutgendorf SK, Oschman JL, Yount GL. Biofield research: a roundtable discussion of scientific and methodological issues. J Altern Complement Med 2012; 18:1081-6. [PMID: 23075412 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2012.1502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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A randomised controlled single-blind trial of the efficacy of reiki at benefitting mood and well-being. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2011:381862. [PMID: 21584234 PMCID: PMC3092553 DOI: 10.1155/2011/381862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This is a constructive replication of a previous trial conducted by Bowden et al. (2010), where students who had received Reiki demonstrated greater health and mood benefits than those who received no Reiki. The current study examined impact on anxiety/depression. 40 university students—half with high depression and/or anxiety and half with low depression and/or anxiety—were randomly assigned to receive Reiki or to a non-Reiki control group. Participants experienced six 30-minute sessions over a period of two to eight weeks, where they were blind to whether noncontact Reiki was administered as their attention was absorbed in a guided relaxation. The efficacy of the intervention was assessed pre-post intervention and at five-week follow-up by self-report measures of mood, illness symptoms, and sleep. The participants with high anxiety and/or depression who received Reiki showed a progressive improvement in overall mood, which was significantly better at five-week follow-up, while no change was seen in the controls. While the Reiki group did not demonstrate the comparatively greater reduction in symptoms of illness seen in our earlier study, the findings of both studies suggest that Reiki may benefit mood.
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13
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Strickland ML, Boylan HM. Using Enzyme Folding to Explore the Mechanism of Therapeutic Touch: A Feasibility Study. J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16:715-21. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen M. Boylan
- Department of Chemistry, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
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Bowden D, Goddard L, Gruzelier J. A randomised controlled single-blind trial of the effects of Reiki and positive imagery on well-being and salivary cortisol. Brain Res Bull 2010; 81:66-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 10/01/2009] [Accepted: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Gasiorowska A, Navarro-Rodriguez T, Dickman R, Wendel C, Moty B, Powers J, Willis MR, Koenig K, Ibuki Y, Thai H, Fass R. Clinical trial: the effect of Johrei on symptoms of patients with functional chest pain. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2009; 29:126-34. [PMID: 18945261 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03859.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with functional chest pain (FCP) represent a therapeutic challenge for practising physicians. AIM To determine the efficacy of Johrei as compared to wait-list in improving symptoms of FCP patients. METHODS Patients with chest pain of noncardiac origin for at least 3 months were enrolled into the study. All patients had to have negative upper endoscopy, pH testing and oesophageal manometry prior to randomization. Subsequently, patients were randomized to either Johrei or wait-list control. Patients received 18 Johrei sessions from a Johrei practitioner for 6 weeks. RESULTS A total of 21 FCP patients enrolled into the Johrei group and 18 into the wait-list group. There was no difference in symptom intensity score between Johrei group and wait-list group at baseline (20.28 vs. 23.06, P = N.S.). However, there was a significant pre- and post-treatment reduction in symptom intensity in the Johrei group (20.28 vs. 7.0, P = 0.0023). There was no significant reduction in symptom intensity score between baseline and at the end of the study in the wait-list group (23.06 vs. 20.69, P = N.S.). CONCLUSION This pilot study shows that Johrei may have a role in improving FCP symptoms; however, future studies are needed to compare Johrei treatment with sham Johrei or supportive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gasiorowska
- The Neuroenteric Clinical Research Group, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Movaffaghi Z, Farsi M. Biofield therapies: biophysical basis and biological regulations? Complement Ther Clin Pract 2008; 15:35-7. [PMID: 19161953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2008.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2008] [Revised: 06/30/2008] [Accepted: 07/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly popular in biomedical health care. One area of alternative medicine, biofield therapies, claims to manipulate individuals 'energy field' in order to enhance healing and wellbeing. This article reviews some recent studies addressing the characterization of endogenous energy fields and the way they affect the physiologic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Movaffaghi
- Clinical skills Center, Education Development Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Ahmad Abad Street, Ghaem hospital, P.O. Box 91735-345, Mashhad, Iran.
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Baldwin AL, Wagers C, Schwartz GE. Reiki Improves Heart Rate Homeostasis in Laboratory Rats. J Altern Complement Med 2008; 14:417-22. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2007.0753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ann Linda Baldwin
- Laboratory for the Advances in Consciousness and Health, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Christina Wagers
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Gary E. Schwartz
- Laboratory for the Advances in Consciousness and Health, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
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Abstract
Research on touch therapies is still in the early stages of development. Studies of Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reiki are quite promising; however, at this point, they can only suggest that these healing modalities have efficacy in reducing anxiety; improving muscle relaxation; aiding in stress reduction, relaxation, and sense of well-being; promoting wound healing; and reducing pain. The multidimensional aspects of healing inherent in patient care continue to be expanded and facilitated by our understanding and application of energy therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Engebretson
- Department of Target Populations, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Room 764, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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