Physiological concomitants of the laying-on of hands: Changes in healers' and patients' tactile sensitivity

Author(s): Vartanian, I. A., Chernigovskaya, T., Reinsel, R.

Journal/Book: J Amer Soc Psychical Res. 1996; 90: 5 West 73RD Street, New York, NY 10023. Amer Soc Psychical Res Inc. 77-96.

Abstract: Nine traditional Healers, 12 of their Patients, 11 Healer Simulators, and 20 Patient Controls participated in a study to examine a variety of physiological concomitants of the ''laying-on of hands.'' Focused ultrasound was used to obtain participants' tactile sensitivity thresholds. Tactile thresholds were reexamined: (1) after healing interactions (Healers, Patients), (2) after simulated healing interventions (Healer Simulators), or (3) after rest intervals with no prior healing-related activity (Patient Controls). Presession to postsession changes for the four groups of participants were examined with Repeated Measures Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age. The ANCOVA found a significant Main Effect of Group (F = 31.20, df = 3,34, p <.0001). Post hoc Tukey tests determined that changes in Healers' right-hand fingertip thresholds were significantly different from changes in the right-hand fingertip thresholds of Patients, Healer Simulators, and Patient Controls. Patients' right-hand fingertip-threshold change also differed significantly from that of Patient Controls. Repeated Measures ANCOVA performed on Healers' and Patients' right- and left-hand palm sensitivity thresholds showed a significant Main Effect of Time (Before vs. After) (F = 5.78, df = 1,9, p = .04), and a significant Time x Group interaction (F = 7.04, df = 1,9, p = .02). No significant task-dependent changes were found in auditory reaction-time tests conducted with the four groups of participants. Discussion includes pilot data from a variety of supplementary tests.

Note: Article MC Maher, New Sch Social Res, Dept Social Sci, 66 W 12TH St, New York, NY 10011 USA

Zurück | Weiter