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Related Experiment Videos

Paranormal healing and hypertension.

J J Beutler1, J T Attevelt, S A Schouten

  • 1Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|May 28, 1988
PubMed
Summary

This study investigated paranormal healing for essential hypertension. While blood pressure decreased in all groups, no paranormal healing method proved superior, suggesting psychological or placebo effects may be responsible.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative medicine
  • Clinical trials
  • Cardiovascular health

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a widespread condition requiring effective management.
  • The potential role of non-traditional therapies like paranormal healing in health outcomes is of interest.
  • Distinguishing between paranormal, psychological, and placebo effects is crucial in therapeutic research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of paranormal healing (laying on of hands and distant healing) in reducing blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.
  • To determine if any observed effects are attributable to paranormal phenomena, psychological factors, or placebo responses.
  • To compare the outcomes of direct healing, distant healing, and a control group.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted.

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  • Participants were assigned to three groups: direct paranormal healing, distant paranormal healing, and a control group (no healing).
  • Double-blind methodology was employed for the distant healing and control groups. Blood pressure was monitored over 15 weeks.

    • Main Results:

    • Significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed across all three groups by week 15.
    • No statistically significant difference in blood pressure reduction was found between the paranormal healing groups and the control group.
    • Weekly variations in diastolic blood pressure showed a slight, non-significant trend towards lower readings in the distant healing group compared to controls.

    Conclusions:

    • The study found no evidence to support a paranormal effect of healing on blood pressure.
    • The observed blood pressure reductions in all groups are likely attributable to the psychosocial aspects of the trial or a general placebo effect.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind blood pressure changes in the context of therapeutic interventions.