Brief Communication: EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL QI-THERAPY ON EMOTIONS, ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAMS, AND PLASMA CORTISOL

Abstract

The authors investigated the effect of external Qi-therapy (EQT) on changes in encephalograms (EEGs) and circulating cortisol concentrations. Ten college students participated in crossover sessions, receiving EQT or placebo treatment with their eyes open. Subjects reported improved emotions of satisfaction, relaxation, and calmness during EQT as compared to levels reported during placebo treatments. There were significant differences in the proportions of alpha and beta EEG waves between the two sessions, and the relative strengths of alpha waves were higher during EQT than during control sessions (p < .05). Plasma cortisol concentrations during EQT were significantly lower than during control sessions p < .05). Thus, Qi-therapy was more effective in inducing relaxation than placebo treatment.

Effect of Biofield Therapy in the Human Brain

“…OPT originated in Japan for the promotion of good health. OPT is similar to EQT, [2][3][4][5] Reiki, 6 and Johrei 8,9 in that it appears to enhance patient health using bioenergy or qi. In OPT, a practitioner treats a patient using a modality that emits bioenergy, or qi through the practitioner's palm, without physically touching the patient.…”

“…One (1) study evaluated differences in a and bwaves and plasma cortisol between EQT and control (placebo) sessions. 2 However, this study only analyzed the EEG for a 3-minute period of EQT, and changes in longer treatment periods were not investigated. Maltez et al 13 reported that recordings over short time periods significantly biased the estimation of the EEG parameters.…”

“…1 MOA Health Science Foundation, Sizuoka, Japan. 2 Korinkai Okinawa Clinic, Okinawa, Japan. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of biofield therapy on EEG data using a crossover design consisting of therapy and placebo treatments, using a modification of Maltez's protocol.…”

“…These types of therapies consist of practices based on subtle energy fields (also called biofields) and generally reflect the concept that human beings are infused with subtle forms of energy. 1 Examples of biofield therapies include external qi (chi) therapy (EQT), [2][3][4][5] Reiki, 6 healing touch, 7 Johrei, 8,9 and Okada purifying therapy (OPT). [10][11][12] One advantage of biofield therapies is that they are inexpensive compared with the costs of other types of therapy.…”

Towards a Transpersonal Psychology of Daoism: Definitions, Past Research, and Future Directions

“…While not solely, or even strictly, Daoist, 16 studies of qigong phenomena may inform psychological researchers regarding concepts common to Daoism (e.g., qi). One of the major contributors to the study of qigong practices is Myeong Soo Lee and his colleagues (Lee et al, 2001;Lee, Kang, Lim, & Lee, 2004;Lee, Rim, & Kang, 2004). While primarily involved in the study of the physiological effects of various qi practices, Lee has conducted several studies that included psychological variables.…”