Geistige Heilung aus der Sicht von PatientenErgebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung

Author(s): Binder, M.

Abstract: Spiritual healing from the patients point of view - results of an empirical studyAt two points (at the beginning of treatment and after 6-8 weeks) questionnaires and interviews were given to patients visiting two spiritual healers (n = 140). The healers had different styles of treatment: Mrs. E. was mainly working with laying on of hands, whereas Mr. M. was combining different methods (spiritism, mediumism, magnetism, homeopathy) in a rather directive manner, without laying on of hands.Results: 1. What are the treatment effects perceived by the patients?Most of the patients were chronically ill. The healers were consulted by two different groups of patients: Mrs. E.'s patients were mostly women; they were older, had higher educational levels and their health status was worse than that of Mr. M.'s patients. As a result of treatment, Mrs. E.'s patients showed a better coping with their daily life on the physical and emotional level and a significant pain reduction. There were no such effects in Mr. M.'s patients. Depressive forms of coping with illness were significantly reduced within both groups. On average there was no change of physical functions and satisfaction with life and with health.2. Do different forms of treatment lead to different results? Mrs. E.'s treatment (laying on of hands) was more successfull than Mr. M.'s, who was trying to convince the patients in a rather directive way, not using laying on of hands.3. How do users of spiritual healing evaluate their treatment compared to other treatments (orthodox medical treatments, other complementary treatments)?Both groups of patients were more satisfied with spiritual healing than with other treatments. Mrs. E.'s treatment was seen as giving general relief, whereas Mr. M.'s treatment was experienced in very different ways. Few patients criticized that they had to pay too much for their treatments. Other ethical problems especially those arising from Mr. M.'s treatments are discussed.

Keyword(s): Geistige Heilung

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