1
|
Trivedi MK, Branton A, Trivedi D, Mondal S, Jana S. The use of biofield energy therapy as complementary and alternative medicine in human health care system: a narrative review and potential mechanisms. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 0:jcim-2024-0027. [PMID: 38563780 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2024-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There has been accumulating interest in the application of biofield therapy as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat various diseases. The practices include reiki, qigong, blessing, prayer, distant healing, known as biofield therapies. This paper aims to state scientific knowledge on preclinical and clinical studies to validate its potential use as an alternative medicine in the clinic. It also provides a more in-depth context for understanding the potential role of quantum entanglement in the effect of biofield energy therapy. CONTENT A comprehensive literature search was performed using the different databases (PubMed, Scopus, Medline, etc.). The published English articles relevant to the scope of this review were considered. The review gathered 45 papers that were considered suitable for the purpose. Based on the results of these papers, it was concluded that biofield energy therapy was effective in treating different disease symptoms in preclinical and clinical studies. SUMMARY Biofield therapies offer therapeutic benefits for different human health disorders, and can be used as alternative medicine in clinics for the medically pluralistic world due to the growing interest in CAM worldwide. OUTLOOK The effects of the biofield energy therapies are observed due to the healer's quantum thinking, and transmission of the quantum energy to the subject leads to the healing that occurs spiritually through instantaneous communication at the quantum level via quantum entanglement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sambhu Mondal
- 623512 Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. , Thane (W), Maharashtra, India
| | - Snehasis Jana
- 623512 Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. , Thane (W), Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Matos LC, Machado JP, Monteiro FJ, Greten HJ. Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapeutics: An Overview of the Basics and Clinical Applications. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:257. [PMID: 33804485 PMCID: PMC8000828 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9030257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a systematic healthcare system developed from clinical experience based on a scientific model of regulation. TCM relies on unique theories and practices to treat diseases and enhance health. These practices include Chinese herbal medicine and dietetics, acupuncture and moxibustion, and other non-medication therapies such as Chinese bodywork or manual therapy, known as "Tuina", and traditional biofeedback exercises, known as "Qigong" and "Taijiquan". The integration of TCM in Western health systems and research requires a rational communicable theory, scientific proof of efficacy and safety, and quality control measures. Understanding the structural concepts of the TCM language makes possible the parallelism to Western physiology, and the inherent rational use of the reflex therapeutic systems, anti-inflammatory mechanisms and mental training involved, for example, in acupuncture and "Qigong". The results of TCM clinical trials and fundamental research on its nature and mechanisms have encouraged the development and application of well-designed research strategies such as double blinding in acupucture to overcome limitations and resistances in integrating these practices into the existing biomedical paradigms of the West. This review aims to overview some TCM theoretical concepts and the evidence-based clinical application of TCM's leading practices to create an easy-to-consult and condensed source of information, available for the healthcare community, facilitating the understanding and communication between conventional health professionals and TCM practitioners and acupuncturists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luís Carlos Matos
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- CBSIn—Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa, Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- CTEC—Centro Transdisciplinar de Estudos da Consciência, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pereira Machado
- CBSIn—Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa, Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- ICBAS—Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Fernando Jorge Monteiro
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Henry Johannes Greten
- ICBAS—Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ben-Arye E, Samuels N. Patient-centered care in lung cancer: exploring the next milestones. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2015; 4:630-4. [PMID: 26629435 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2218-6751.2015.03.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
In this editorial, the authors comment on a recently published review paper by Molassiotis et al. on the developments made over the past 40 years in supportive care for patients with lung cancer. During this period, a paradigm shift promoting patient-centered care (PCC) has led to an important change in the approach of supportive cancer care, from a purely disease-centered approach, measuring survival-related outcomes, to recognizing the importance of quality of life outcomes as well. This change of understanding in supportive and palliative care for patients with lung cancer can be further advanced through the understanding that there is a need to address bio-psycho-spiritual concerns and health belief models, within the context of the family socio-cultural environment, for both patients and their caregivers. There is also a need to address the psycho-spiritual effects of cancer on those health care professionals treating patients with lung cancer, in order to reduce compassion fatigue and increase resilience. Future directions for supportive care for patients with lung cancer may include the development of a patient-tailored treatment approach, assisted by the integration of a multidisciplinary team of health care providers and evidence-based complementary medicine practices, within conventional supportive care practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eran Ben-Arye
- 1 Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service and Lin Medical center, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel ; 2 Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel and Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel ; 3 Tal Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Noah Samuels
- 1 Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service and Lin Medical center, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel ; 2 Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel and Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel ; 3 Tal Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kim S, Lee S, Kwon O, Park S, Seo J, Kim K. Qigong program on insomnia and stress in cancer patients: A case series report. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2015; 3:2050313X14556408. [PMID: 27489671 PMCID: PMC4857300 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x14556408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the interest in Qigong as an alternative therapy has grown following reports of its ability to regulate psychological factors in cancer patients. This is a case series to evaluate the outcome measures of Qigong when used as an adjunct to standard medical care to treat insomnia and stress in cancer patients. Patients and methods: The Qigong program was applied to four cancer patients with insomnia, stress, and anxiety. The program consisted of 30-min sessions involving exercise, patting of the 12 meridians, and spontaneous breathing exercises three times a week for a period of 4 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was measured as the primary outcome, while the Stress Scale, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy–General determined the secondary outcomes. Insomnia, stress, and anxiety levels were examined weekly, while quality of life was examined on the first visit and the last visit. Results: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Stress Scale scores were reduced after conduct of the Qigong program. Conclusion: This study could provide a better understanding of Qigong’s influence on insomnia and stress in cancer patients. However, a larger controlled trial should be conducted to confirm these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seungmo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sangnam Lee
- Department of Qigong, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Osung Kwon
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Korea
| | - Seonghoon Park
- Comprehensive and Integrative Medicine Institute, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jungchul Seo
- Comprehensive and Integrative Medicine Institute, Daegu, Korea
| | - Kyungsoon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chien TJ, Song YL, Lin CP, Hsu CH. The correlation of traditional chinese medicine deficiency syndromes, cancer related fatigue, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. J Tradit Complement Med 2014; 2:204-10. [PMID: 24716134 PMCID: PMC3942897 DOI: 10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To evaluate the correlation between the different traditional chinese medicine (TCM) deficiency syndromes, cancer related fatigue (CRF), and quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients. Patients and methods: Ninety-five breast cancer patients were categorized into different qi (氣 qì), blood (血 xuè), yin (陰 yin), and yang (陽 yáng) TCM deficiency syndrome groups (DSGs). We used the ICD-10 for diagnosing CRF. The QoL was assessed by the WHO-BREF and Short Form Health Survey (SF12) questionnaires. The major outcome was to compare the QoL scores between the different TCM DSGs. The second outcome was the intergroup analysis between the CRF and different TCM DSGs in breast cancer patients. Results: The patients with qi deficiency (氣虛 qì xu) had a higher correlation with CRF (p=0.001) and poorer QoL both in the WHO-BREF and SF12 survey (p<0.001), whereas the patients with yin deficiency (陰虛 yin xu) had poorer QoL in the psychological (p=0.02) and social aspects (p=0.04). The qi deficiency (氣虛 qì xu) syndrome was closely associated with yin deficiency syndrome (陰虛 yin xu). (p=0.03). Conclusion: Our study confirmed the concept of Qi-deficiency (氣虛 qì xu) in TCM was associated with CRF as identified in cancer care in western medicine. The breast cancer patients with qi deficiency (氣虛 qì xu) have poorer QoL. Treatment of CRF and improving QoL by supplying qi (氣 qì) may warrant further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Ju Chien
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan ; Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Branch of Zhong-xing, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Lung Song
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan ; Branch of Linsen and Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Che-Pin Lin
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Branch of Jen-Ai, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hua Hsu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan ; Branch of Linsen and Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan ; Taiwan International Traditional Chinese Medicine Training Center, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Teut M, Linde K. Scientific case research in complementary and alternative medicine—A review. Complement Ther Med 2013; 21:388-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
8
|
Management of dyspnea in advanced lung cancer: recent data and emerging concepts. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2010; 4:85-91. [DOI: 10.1097/spc.0b013e328339920d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
9
|
Posadzki P, Parekh S, O'Driscoll ML, Mucha D. Qi Gong's relationship to educational kinesiology: A qualitative approach. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2010; 14:73-9. [PMID: 20006292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2008] [Revised: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 11/27/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
10
|
|
11
|
Manzaneque JM, Vera FM, Rodriguez FM, Garcia GJ, Leyva L, Blanca MJ. Serum cytokines, mood and sleep after a qigong program: is qigong an effective psychobiological tool? J Health Psychol 2009; 14:60-7. [PMID: 19129338 DOI: 10.1177/1359105308097946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Qigong is an ancient Chinese psychosomatic exercise that integrates movement, breathing and meditation into a single multifaceted practice. The present study was designed to assess the effects of qigong practice on serum cytokines, mood and subjective sleep quality. Experimental participants underwent a qigong training program for one month. Blood samples for the quantification of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, and several instruments to assess anxiety and depression symptoms as well as SSQ, were obtained before and after the program. Our findings revealed that while the practice of qigong for one month did not alter serum cytokines, it enhanced psychological well-being, including sleep duration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Manzaneque
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Laser Literature Watch. Photomed Laser Surg 2006; 24:222-48. [PMID: 16706704 DOI: 10.1089/pho.2006.24.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|