Reference code: | PT/FB/BL-2006-162.06 |
Location: | Arquivo PCA - Pasta 9/2006
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Title:
| Paranormal healing, paranormal belief, and physical and psychological well-being
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Publication year: | 2010
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URL:
| http://www.bial.com/simposio/Livro_de_Actas_8_Simposio.pdf
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Abstract/Results: | ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES:
Study 1 aimed to assess the role of healing belief and expectancy in the outcome of distance healing in arthritis patients. Study 2 aimed to profile the psychological characteristics of individuals practicing distance healing. Study 3 aimed to uncover key aspects of the phenomenology of distance healing in a supportive culture.
METHODS:
Study 1 was a randomized controlled trial. Sixty arthritis patients received distance healing, using a semi-masked design to assess the effects of expectancy. Healing outcome was measured through self-reported pain, health and well-being questionnaires. Study 2 administered questionnaires on personality, spirituality, and boundary thinness to 130 distance healers. Study 3 used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyse transcripts of in-depth interviews with fifteen healees based in Sri Lanka.
RESULTS:
Study 1 found no evidence for the efficacy of distance healing for arthritis sufferers, and found that generalized belief in distance healing had little effect on health and well-being. Knowledge about condition allocation was related to outcome, suggesting that expectancy plays an important role in perceived healing. Study 2 found that, compared to general population norms, distance healers had extremely high levels of
spiritual connectedness, permeable boundaries, frequent experience of exceptional phenomena, high levels of agreeableness and openness, and were driven by a compassionate desire to help others. Study 3 found five themes emerged as a result of the IPA analysis, with these themes being linked by the overall concept of ‘empowerment’.
CONCLUSIONS:
In addition to the findings already described, Study 1 suggested further investigation of individual differences in healer efficacy. Study 2 raised the question of whether distance healers are less ego-driven than has been suggested for those who practice laying-on-of-hands. Study 3 suggested that the experience of healing in a
supportive cultural context may be quite different to that found in a Western context where healing is regarded as an alternative to orthodox medicine.
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Accessibility: | Document does not exist in file
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Language:
| eng
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Author:
| Watt, C.
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Secondary author(s):
| Easter, A.
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Document type:
| Conference abstract
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Number of reproductions:
| 2
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Reference:
| Watt, C., & Easter, A. (2010). Paranormal healing, paranormal belief, and physical and psychological well-being. In Aquém e além do cérebro. Behind and beyond the brain. Proceedings of the 8th Symposium of Fundação Bial (p. 240). Porto: Fundação Bial.
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Indexed document: | No
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Keywords: | Distant healing / Remote healing / Paranormal healing
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Paranormal healing, paranormal belief, and physical and psychological well-being |