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Brueggemann AD, Ekwonye AU. Perceived Benefits of Magdalena Energy Healing Sessions: An Exploratory Study of Clients' Perspectives. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3087. [PMID: 38063655 PMCID: PMC10871104 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11233087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Energy healing techniques are associated with many physical and mental benefits. A qualitative study was conducted to understand clients' experiences of a new energy healing modality called Magdalena Energy Healing. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted after clients experienced 60 min Magdalena energy healing session(s). Twenty-five adults participated in the study. All participants received Magdalena energy healing from a certified, trained practitioner. Thematic analysis was conducted to determine clients' perceived benefits of the Magdalena energy healing session(s). RESULTS Four themes emerged from the data: Physical, Mental, Social, and Spiritual Benefits. Physical health benefits included relief from a variety of medical symptoms, improved sleep quality, and physical body awareness. Mental Health benefits included relaxation and peace, decision-making clarity, relief of mental health symptoms, and an increased ability to cope with life. Social Benefits included improved attitudes in relationships. Spiritual Benefits included optimism, gratitude, self-acceptance, and increased spiritual connection. CONCLUSIONS Participants' perceptions are that Magdalena energy healing sessions offer peace, symptom relief, and gratitude. Magdalena energy healing can address priorities of The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Sessions can be seamlessly integrated into traditional medical care as a useful complementary/integrative healing option to improve physical, mental, and/or spiritual wellbeing across a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvina D. Brueggemann
- Department of Holistic Health Studies, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA
| | - Angela U. Ekwonye
- Department of Public Health, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA;
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Varela RP. Faith healing based on narratives of healing experiences: A psycho-spiritual interpretation. Explore (NY) 2023; 19:792-796. [PMID: 37286467 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated 216 individual transcripts of faith healing experiences drawn from the healing ministries of 2 Catholic priests in the Philippines. The accounts of these healing narratives were generously provided to the researcher in hard copies for analysis by the 2 Catholic priests. The narratives were individual stories of healing experiences and written voluntarily by the healees themselves. Five themes were extracted from the narratives, namely, sensation of warmth, feeling of lightness, electrifying sensation, feeling of heaviness, and a weeping episode. Further, the study was able to unfold four themes on spiritual coping, namely, empowering faith, letting God be in control, acceptance leading to renewal, and connectedness with God. Faith healing experience begins with multisensory-physiological changes (e.g., sensation of warmth, electrifying sensation, feeling of heaviness) leading to affective/emotional, changes (e.g., weeping moment and feeling of lightness) that occur simultaneously, or in succession as antecedent conditions that awaken or activate inner adaptive spiritual coping responses with illness such as empowering faith, God being in control, acceptance leading to renewal, and connectedness with God.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reynold P Varela
- Adamson University, College of Science, Department of Psychology, 900 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines.
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3
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Yoshimura K, Hossain M, Tojo B, Tieu P, Trinh NN, Huy NT, Sato M, Moji K. Barriers to the hospital treatment among Bede snake charmers in Bangladesh with special reference to venomous snakebite. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011576. [PMID: 37782628 PMCID: PMC10545105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a potentially life-threatening global public health issue with Bangladesh having one of the highest rates of snakebite cases. The Bede, a nomadic ethnic group in Bangladesh, traditionally engages in snake-related business such as snake charming. The Bede relies on their own ethnomedicinal practitioners for snakebite treatment while there is a lack of concrete evidence on the effectiveness of such ethnomedicinal treatment. To identify the barriers to the utilization of biomedical treatment for snakebite we conducted interviews with 38 Bede snake charmers, who have experienced snakebite, and six family members of those who died of snakebite. Our results show that four critical barriers, Accessibility, Affordability, Availability, and Acceptability (4As), prevented some of the Bede from seeking biomedical treatment. Moreover, we found that a few Bede died of a snakebite every year. There are survivors of snakebite who were able to receive biomedical treatment by overcoming all of the 4As. Our results provide insights into the current state of snakebite treatment in Bangladesh and can inform the development of more effective and accessible treatment options for those affected. Partnership between the public sector and the Bede community has the potential to make a significant impact in reducing snakebite morbidity and mortality in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Yoshimura
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Japan Snake Institute, Gunma, Japan
| | - Moazzem Hossain
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Bumpei Tojo
- World Language and Society Education Centre, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paul Tieu
- McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Online Research Club (https://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Nguyen Tien Huy
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Online Research Club (https://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Miho Sato
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Moji
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Hohenschurz-Schmidt D, Draper-Rodi J, Vase L, Scott W, McGregor A, Soliman N, MacMillan A, Olivier A, Cherian CA, Corcoran D, Abbey H, Freigang S, Chan J, Phalip J, Nørgaard Sørensen L, Delafin M, Baptista M, Medforth NR, Ruffini N, Skøtt Andresen S, Ytier S, Ali D, Hobday H, Santosa AANAA, Vollert J, Rice AS. Blinding and sham control methods in trials of physical, psychological, and self-management interventions for pain (article I): a systematic review and description of methods. Pain 2023; 164:469-484. [PMID: 36265391 PMCID: PMC9916059 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Blinding is challenging in randomised controlled trials of physical, psychological, and self-management therapies for pain, mainly because of their complex and participatory nature. To develop standards for the design, implementation, and reporting of control interventions in efficacy and mechanistic trials, a systematic overview of currently used sham interventions and other blinding methods was required. Twelve databases were searched for placebo or sham-controlled randomised clinical trials of physical, psychological, and self-management treatments in a clinical pain population. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate, and trial features, description of control methods, and their similarity to the active intervention under investigation were extracted (protocol registration ID: CRD42020206590). The review included 198 unique control interventions, published between 2008 and December 2021. Most trials studied people with chronic pain, and more than half were manual therapy trials. The described control interventions ranged from clearly modelled based on the active treatment to largely dissimilar control interventions. Similarity between control and active interventions was more frequent for certain aspects (eg, duration and frequency of treatments) than others (eg, physical treatment procedures and patient sensory experiences). We also provide an overview of additional, potentially useful methods to enhance blinding, as well as the reporting of processes involved in developing control interventions. A comprehensive picture of prevalent blinding methods is provided, including a detailed assessment of the resemblance between active and control interventions. These findings can inform future developments of control interventions in efficacy and mechanistic trials and best-practice recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hohenschurz-Schmidt
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jerry Draper-Rodi
- Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lene Vase
- Section for Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Whitney Scott
- Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- INPUT Pain Management Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison McGregor
- Human Performance Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Soliman
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew MacMillan
- Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Axel Olivier
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cybill Ann Cherian
- Chemical Engineering Department, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Hilary Abbey
- Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Freigang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jessica Chan
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lea Nørgaard Sørensen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maite Delafin
- The Penn Clinic, Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Margarida Baptista
- Department of Psychology, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nuria Ruffini
- National Centre Germany, Foundation C.O.M.E. Collaboration, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Dorota Ali
- Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Hobday
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jan Vollert
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Neurophysiology, Mannheim Center of Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Andrew S.C. Rice
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
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Bolarinwa FI, Esan DT, Bolarinwa OA. Assessment of Spiritual Care Practices Among Nurses Caring for Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria. SAGE Open Nurs 2023; 9:23779608221150600. [PMID: 36636627 PMCID: PMC9829990 DOI: 10.1177/23779608221150600] [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] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The importance of spirituality in health and wellness has been documented in the literature. While the developed countries have reported robust evidence of spirituality in nursing practices, there is scant evidence in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Objectives This study assessed the spiritual care practices of the nurses attending to cancer patients in a tertiary health institution in Ilorin. It further determined factors associated with spiritual caring practices among nurses. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and December 2021 to assess spiritual care practices among nurses caring for cancer patients. During the study period, 66 nurses were recruited randomly from the hospital's medical and surgical clinics, palliative care department, and Obstetrics and Gynecology department. Twelve items validated Nurses' spiritual care practices questionnaire was adapted for this study. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results The mean age of the respondents was 36.5 years ( + 10.1) while female respondents made up 83.3%. About 48% of the nurses had good spiritual caring practices while 52% had poor spiritual caring practices. Nurses with training in oncology (96%) with p = .001 and those with spirituality training (86.2%) with p = .017 showed significant association with spiritual care practices. This study concluded that spiritual care practices among nurses are sub-optimal with training as a significantly associated factor with spiritual care practices. Conclusion It is, therefore, suggested that spiritual care practices should be incorporated into all nursing training and curriculum. This will allow them to better support the spiritual needs of the patients, especially those with chronic diseases like cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deborah Tolulope Esan
- Department of Nursing Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti,
Nigeria,Deborah Tolulope Esan, Department of
Nursing Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola
University, P.M.B. 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
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Knowledge of local folk healers, the so-called whisperers, among paramedic students from eastern Poland. Explore (NY) 2022; 19:290-292. [PMID: 35871986 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT So far, the phenomenon of folk healers in Podlasie (eastern Poland) has not attracted the interest of medical professionals. There are no statistics describing the scale of the phenomenon. The study aimed to find out whether young adults undertaking studies and those around them use the help of whisperers. DESIGN AND SETTING 43 student paramedics took part in the study. Parents of all participants lived in Podlasie or adjacent counties. They answered the survey questions and participated in the discussion on alternative methods of treatment. RESULTS Every fourth student paramedic reported that a whisperer was active within a radius of 20 km from his/her parents' residence. 60.5% of student paramedics have personal/family experience or friends using a whisperer. CONCLUSIONS Using the help of whisperers seems to have the features of a lifestyle element among educated young people from Podlasie. Non-disappearance of the tradition of healing by whispering and obligatory transfer of heritage to younger people before the expected loss of physical strength or death of a whisperer makes it possible to plan interesting biomedical research on healing and healers' predispositions.
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Gong N, Meng Y, Hu Q, Du Q, Wu X, Zou W, Zhu M, Chen J, Luo L, Cheng Y, Zhang M. Obstacles to access to community care in urban senior-only households: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:122. [PMID: 35164708 PMCID: PMC8842867 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-02816-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The increased number of older adults living alone has created a substantial care need. However, the utilization rate of services and facilities to meet these needs are surprisingly low. Many of older adults experience difficulties accessing these services, although it remains unclear how these obstacles impede access to services. This study explored the obstacles and difficulties experienced by urban older adults in seeking community care. Methods A phenomenological study was carried out and participatory observation and in-depth interviews were employed to investigate the process of seeking care of older adults in urban communities. A total of 18 urban community-dwelling older adults aged 75 years and over were included. Data collected were analysed by content analysis. Results We identified the pathways by which senior-only households sought community care and encountered obstacles. (1) lack of community care information: older adults did not know where and how to get services, even though the care institutions scattered throughout the community; (2) limited mobility: older adults often suffered from various chronic diseases, which physically hindered their access to care resources; (3) complex process of achieving care: the functional fragmentation and geographical dispersion of care institutions made the care-seeking process challenging and confusing for older adults; (4) incomprehension of needs expression: limited interaction time and communication barriers between staff of institutions and the older adults were the final obstacle. Only by surmounting these obstacles one by one can older adults access the care resources effectively. Conclusions When older adults in the community initiated calls for help, they encountered several obstacles. Their physiological and social disadvantages limited their ability to seek care physically. Lack of integration and clear guidance in the process of providing community care exacerbated these difficulties. Reform of care services should focus on the visibility and accessibility of services for older adults. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02816-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Gong
- School of Nursing, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya Meng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Qin Hu
- School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Xingang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510399, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianqian Du
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjie Zou
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengyao Zhu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayan Chen
- Qizhi Social Work Service Center, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lan Luo
- Hongshan Street Community Health Service Center, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Xingang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510399, Guangdong, China.
| | - Meifen Zhang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Rafii F, Eisavi M, Safarabadi M. Explaining the Process of Spiritual healing of Critically-ill Patients: A Grounded Theory Study. Ethiop J Health Sci 2021; 30:579-588. [PMID: 33897218 PMCID: PMC8054459 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v30i4.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spiritual healing is one of the most intriguing category of alternative and complementary medicine. The aim of this study was to explain the process of spiritual healing in patients with refractory diseases in Iran. Methods This grounded theory study was conducted in Iran from 2018 to 2019. The participants were 14 patients with refractory diseases and 4 healers whom were first selected through purposeful and then theoretical sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data on patients and healers. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and grouped under specific categories and analyzed using the Strauss and Corbin's approach (2008). Results Four main categories emerged from data analysis including: I) frustration to initial acceptance II) disbelief to trust III) evaluation to action and IV) doubt to certainty. Conclusion The results of our study provide context-specific factors affecting the complex and multifactorial nature of spiritual healing process in patients with refractory diseases. Health care professional can use these findings in designing and implementing appropriate interventions to integrate spiritual healing into their holistic practices of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Rafii
- Nursing Care Research Center (NCRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Eisavi
- Departement of Islamic Economy, Allameh Tabatai University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Safarabadi
- Nursing Care Research Center (NCRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Tamming T, Otake Y. Linking coping strategies to locally-perceived aetiologies of mental distress in northern Rwanda. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002304. [PMID: 32665374 PMCID: PMC7365432 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION How and why people in a particular setting turn to a specific coping strategy for their distress is pivotal for strengthening mental healthcare and this needs to be understood from a local point of view. Prior research in northern Rwanda documented common local concepts of distress for the population that cannot receive assistance despite severe adversities; however, the locally-perceived causes, manifestation and coping strategies and their associations are still unclear. METHODS The qualitative study in the Musanze district, northern Rwanda, was informed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with people with lived experience and those in close contact with people with lived experience of distress. Ethnographic observation was conducted and the analyses were complimented by an earlier ethnography in the same village. RESULTS Study participants (n=15) included community members with lived experience of mental distress and/or those with close friends or family with lived experience. The perceived manifestations of the mental distresses were diverse and the causal attributions shifted from more social, concrete and explainable (eg, loss) towards magical, more abstract and unexplainable (eg, poisoning). Finally, participants sought coping strategies in accordance with their causal attribution in ways that made sense to them. CONCLUSION The coping strategies were chosen according to the perceived aetiology of the symptoms and they were perceived to be effective for their distress. Local coping strategies that match people's help-seeking patterns should therefore be supported in policy and programmes. In Rwanda this requires a mutual training of medical professionals and traditional healers and establishing co-treatment within two parallel systems. This also requires the support for programmes and initiatives that strengthen positive interactions and change in circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teisi Tamming
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yuko Otake
- School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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Abheiden H, Teut M, Berghöfer A. Predictors of the use and approval of CAM: results from the German General Social Survey (ALLBUS). BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:183. [PMID: 32527256 PMCID: PMC7291752 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-02966-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have shown that sociodemographic variables significantly predict the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), although these predictions were not particularly strong. A multitude of predictors of the use or approval of CAM have been investigated in the field of personal values and worldviews, but the effects were small or doubtful due to non-representative samples. More recent psychological research has linked positive attitudes towards CAM with intuitive thinking, paranormal beliefs, ontological confusions and magical health beliefs, suggesting a common thinking style behind all these variables. The aim of this study is to identify the most important predictors of the use and approval of CAM. METHODS We performed a canonical correlation analysis on all 3480 records from the 2012 German General Social Survey (ALLBUS) with the lifetime use and opinion of CAM as the dependent variables. RESULTS Approval of paranormal practices such as fortune-telling, dowsing or spiritualism explained 32% of the variance in the dependent canonical variate "approval of CAM", while sociodemographic variables explained only 2%. Experience with paranormal practices explained 17% of the variance in the dependent canonical variate "experience with CAM", and sociodemographic variables explained 10% of the variance. Traditional religiosity, attitudes towards science and post-materialist values showed no relevant correlations with the dependent canonical variates. CONCLUSIONS Paranormal beliefs and related measures are the most important known predictors of the use and approval of CAM. Experience with paranormal practices not only indicates paranormal beliefs but also explains experience with CAM that cannot be explained by approval of CAM. Female gender and higher socioeconomic status predict experience with CAM without predicting approval of CAM, but their influence should not be overstated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Abheiden
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Teut
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Berghöfer
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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Rafii F, Javaheri Tehrani F, Saeedi M. Spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients' viewpoints: A hybrid concept analysis. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2020; 9:32. [PMID: 32318600 PMCID: PMC7161651 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_474_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spiritual healing is a complementary and alternative treatment with different meanings in different cultures and religions. However, the concept has not been defined from the cancer patients' points of view. The present study was done with the aim of concept analyses of spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients' viewpoints. METHODOLOGY The study was done using a hybrid method at three phases including of theoretical study, field study, and final analysis. In the theoretical study phase and using the keyword "spiritual healing," pertinent articles were searched in main databases. In the field study phase, ten cancer patients were interviewed, and in the final phase, the two other phases were analyzed. After determining features, antecedents, and consequences, a conclusive definition of spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients' viewpoints was proposed. FINDINGS Spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients' viewpoints was featured with four themes, including connection with paranormal forces; effective, noninvasive, inexpensive, and efficient therapeutic method; a way to achieve piece, adaptation, and health and influenced by cultural and religious beliefs. Spiritual healing is a complementary and alternative treatment that helps careseekers to achieve health through paranormal forces and energies. As the findings showed and according to the participants' viewpoints, the source of such forces and energies was divine force and the healers were mediums to transfer the energy. CONCLUSION The findings supported that religion and faith were the key elements of spiritual healing in the Iranian Islamic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Rafii
- Member of Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Saeedi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
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Rahtz E, Child S, Knight S, Warber SL, Dieppe P. Clients of UK healers: A mixed methods survey of their demography, health problems, and experiences of healing. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2019; 35:72-77. [PMID: 31003689 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healing has not been well researched, and very little is known about who goes to healers, and what they experience. METHODS A survey of UK-based healers was undertaken with the help of The Confederation of Healing Organisations, asking healers to report on up to 20 consultations. Forms asked about the demography of healer and client, reasons for the consultation, type of healing, and outcomes. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed. RESULTS 278 returned forms from 39 healers (average age 58) were analysed. Healing was described as Spiritual (69%), Reiki (15%) or Energy (10%). The clients had an average age of 57, and 76% were women. The most common reasons for consulting were mental health problems and pain. 93% of the clients reported experiencing immediate benefits. Relaxation, improved wellbeing and relief of pain were often reported. In addition, 76 (27%) had some unusual sensory experiences during the session, such as feelings of warmth, seeing coloured lights, or tingling sensations. The majority of general comments about the experience were positive, and 68% made another appointment. CONCLUSIONS Older people, particularly older women, are the main recipients of healing in the UK, and they go for help with many problems, particularly mental health issues and pain. The majority have a positive experience, and come back for more. In addition to relief of symptoms, many have sensory experiences which could indicate that some special type of interaction was taking place between healer and healee.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sue Child
- The University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | - Sue Knight
- The Confederation of Healing Organisations, UK
| | - Sara L Warber
- The University of Exeter Medical School, UK; The University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine, USA
| | - Paul Dieppe
- The University of Exeter Medical School, UK.
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Teut M, Besch F, Witt CM, Stöckigt B. Perceived Outcomes of Spiritual Healing: Results from a Prospective Case Series. Complement Med Res 2019; 26:265-275. [PMID: 30904903 DOI: 10.1159/000496736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aims of this pilot study were to observe perceived outcomes of spiritual healing in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this prospective case study, we performed qualitative interviews with clients and healers about perceived outcomes of spiritual healing treatments. A directed qualitative content analysis was used. In addition, we applied questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence 13, SpREUK-15, intensity of complaints on visual analogue scale) at baseline and after week 1, month 2 and month 6 which were analysed descriptively. RESULTS Seven healers and 7 clients participated, 42 interviews were analysed. In the interviews, the clients described positive body sensations, greater relaxation and well-being as short-term effects of healing treatments. Perceived longer-term effects were related to making significant life changes, creating new meanings, activating resources and improving social relationships. Patients in pain described a reduction of pain intensity. In the questionnaires, the clients reported improvements in quality of life and self-efficacy, to a smaller extent improvements of intensity of complaints and sense of coherence. CONCLUSION The results from this pilot study could be useful to choose outcomes of future prospective studies with a larger sample: qualitative assessments combined with global and broad quantitative outcomes such as quality of life, self-efficacy and intensity of complaints could be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Teut
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany,
| | - Florian Besch
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia M Witt
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Stöckigt
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Kristoffersen AE, Stub T, Knudsen-Baas O, Udal AH, Musial F. Self-Reported Effects of Energy Healing: A Prospective Observational Study With Pre-Post Design. Explore (NY) 2018; 15:115-125. [PMID: 30262161 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healing is reported to be used by 16.8% of the population, however utilization may be considerably higher in selected patient groups. The aim of this study was to map the symptoms the participants reported when visiting a healer for the first time, and to evaluate the subjectively experienced benefits and risks from the healing sessions. METHOD Data were obtained from the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) questionnaire. One-hundred adults who, for the first time, referred themselves to a healer in southern Norway between January 2016 and January 2017 were included in the study. Eligible for analyses were 92 participants who fulfilled their treatment plan and returned both the baseline (pre) and post-treatment questionnaire. The occurring symptoms were grouped according to their nature into four symptom groups: pain, psychological problems, fatigue and other. With regard to the observational character of the study, all results were described and interpreted descriptively and exact p-values were given and interpreted as measures of effect. RESULTS The participants who visited the healers in this study were mainly women (80%) with chronic disease (82%), with pain, fatigue and/or psychological problems as main complaints. They experienced an improvement of symptoms, well-being and improved activity level of approximately 50% regardless of the nature of the complaints. Women reported more improvement than men did. The pre-post changes was found after an average of 4.1 treatments. Forty percent of the participants reported adverse effects, which occurred directly after the healing session, generally lasting for less than one day. CONCLUSION The study participants reported substantial improvement of, and major reduction of the burden of symptoms, improved well-being and activity level after healing sessions. Due to the observational nature of the study, no interpretations about specificity of the descriptive results or the mechanisms of effect can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete E Kristoffersen
- The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.
| | - Trine Stub
- The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | | | | | - Frauke Musial
- The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
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Haque MI, Chowdhury ABMA, Shahjahan M, Harun MGD. Traditional healing practices in rural Bangladesh: a qualitative investigation. Altern Ther Health Med 2018; 18:62. [PMID: 29448941 PMCID: PMC5815193 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2129-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Traditional healing practice is an important and integral part of healthcare systems in almost all countries of the world. Very few studies have addressed the holistic scenario of traditional healing practices in Bangladesh, although these serve around 80% of the ailing people. This study explored distinctive forms of traditional healing practices in rural Bangladesh. Methods During July to October 2007, the study team conducted 64 unstructured interviews, and 18 key informant interviews with traditional healers and patients from Bhabanipur and Jobra, two adjacent villages in Chittagong district, Bangladesh. The study also used participatory observations of traditional healing activities in the treatment centers. Results Majority of the community members, especially people of low socioeconomic status, first approached the traditional healers with their medical problems. Only after failure of such treatment did they move to qualified physicians for modern treatment. Interestingly, if this failed, they returned to the traditional healers. This study identified both religious and non-religious healing practices. The key religious healing practices reportedly included Kalami, Bhandai, and Spiritual Healing, whereas the non-religious healing practices included Sorcery, Kabiraji, and Home Medicine. Both patients and healers practiced self-medication at home with their indigenous knowledge. Kabiraji was widely practiced based on informal use of local medicinal plants in rural areas. Healers in both Kalami and Bhandari practices resorted to religious rituals, and usually used verses of holy books in healing, which required a firm belief of patients for the treatment to be effective. Sorcerers deliberately used their so-called supernatural power not only to treat a patient but also to cause harm to others upon secret request. The spiritual healing reportedly diagnosed and cured the health problems through communication with sacred spirits. Although the fee for diagnosis was small, spiritual healing required different types of treatment instruments, which made the treatment implicitly expensive. Conclusions Traditional healing was widely practiced as the means of primary healthcare in rural areas of Bangladesh, especially among the people with low socioeconomic status. The extent of services showed no decline with the advancement of modern medical sciences; rather it has increased with the passage of time.
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Rahtz E, Bonnell S, Goldingay S, Warber S, Dieppe P. Transformational Changes in Health Status: A Qualitative Exploration of Healing Moments. Explore (NY) 2017; 13:298-305. [PMID: 28756166 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Dramatic self-change is a familiar concept within religious experience and is recognized within psychotherapy and some fields of nursing. However, it has been given limited consideration in wider health research, including healing research. We sought to explore the phenomenon of "healing moments". METHODS Alternative medicine practitioners attending a continuing professional development course for healers within the UK's Holistic Health Show were shown a 10min video clip showing two of the authors discussing healing moments. Sixty-nine (69) of the practitioners then provided "short stories" outlining their own experiences of such moments. Both the video and the short stories were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic approach. We sought to evaluate holistic practitioners' perceptions of the concept of healing moments. RESULTS The concept of healing moments was widely accepted by the 69 participants. An overarching theme of transformational change described personal shifts that ranged from the sudden and quasimiraculous to transient but much-needed improvements in health and wellbeing. Three subordinate themes of connectivity, quiescence and control were identified. Connectivity described intense connections, experienced through touch, empathy and love, which could provide reciprocal benefits for healers as well as clients. Quiescence captured the quiet, calm atmosphere that pervaded many healing episodes. The contrasting aspects of control encompassed healers relinquishing control to channel healing, and clients seizing control to become empowered in their own healing process. CONCLUSION Healing moments are a recognized and distinct concept within healing, although they remain under-explored in the literature. Our findings suggest that such experiences are common among alternative medicine practitioners. The concepts we uncovered can inform future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmylou Rahtz
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, UK.
| | - Sian Bonnell
- Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | | | - Sara Warber
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, USA
| | - Paul Dieppe
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter, UK
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Firth K, Smith K, Sakallaris BR, Bellanti DM, Crawford C, Avant KC. Healing, a Concept Analysis. Glob Adv Health Med 2015; 4:44-50. [PMID: 26665022 PMCID: PMC4653605 DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Firth
- National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland (Dr Firth), United States
| | - Katherine Smith
- Samueli Institute, Alexandria, Virginia (Ms Smith), United States
| | | | - Dawn M Bellanti
- Samueli Institute, Alexandria, Virginia (Ms Bellanti), United States
| | - Cindy Crawford
- Samueli Institute, Alexandria, Virginia (Ms Crawford), United States
| | - Kay C Avant
- University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas (Dr Avant), United States
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Spiritual Treatment for Depression in Brazil: An Experience From Spiritism. Explore (NY) 2015; 11:377-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Stöckigt BMH, Besch F, Jeserich F, Holmberg C, Witt CM, Teut M. Biographical similarities between spiritual healers and their clients in Germany – a qualitative study. Anthropol Med 2015; 22:177-90. [DOI: 10.1080/13648470.2015.1050578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Healing Relationships: A Qualitative Study of Healers and Their Clients in Germany. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:145154. [PMID: 26136806 PMCID: PMC4475555 DOI: 10.1155/2015/145154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the nature of the relationships between healers and their clients in Germany. Methods.
An interdisciplinary research team performed semistructured interviews with healers and clients and participatory observation of healing sessions. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. Results. Fifteen healers and sixteen clients were included. The healer-client relationship was described as a profound and unique experience, which brought forth interpersonal and spiritual connections. The healers were seen as role models for healing to occur and support for being connected spiritually. The clients had to be open-minded and responsible. The importance of the healers' empathy was emphasized. Discussion. The relationship between healer and client can be seen as a triangular connection between client, healer, and a transcendent source which is not the case in typical patient-doctor relationships. The spiritual connection is also said to enhance the empathetic understanding of the healer. The personality and a partner-like attitude of the healer supported the client in giving a more positive meaning to his life, in reconnecting to his spirituality, and in taking responsibility. Future studies should address the role of spirituality in health care and the development of enduring healer-client relationships.
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