Cardiac autonomic changes elicited by energy-based healing modality: pilot study

Abstract

Energy-based healing techniques have rarely been explored in current complementary therapies literature. This therapy is appropriate for cardiac nursing and can be implemented as part of nursing care. The authors investigated the acute effects of a standardised energy-based healing technique on cardiac autonomic regulation. Method: This study was conducted on 18 healthy students (15 female, three male), all non-smokers aged 18–35 years. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analysed 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after the energy-based healing technique was carried out. Geometric, time and frequency domain indices of HRV were examined. The subjects were blindfolded and sat at rest for 10 minutes, then received a standardised energy-based healing technique from an experienced male healer; they remained blindfolded and seated for a further 10 minutes. Results: Time and frequency domain indices of HRV were not significantly different before and after the energy-based healing technique. TINN (triangular interpolation histogram of RR intervals) (P=0.04) and RRTri (triangular index) (P=0.02) were increased after the therapy. A Poincaré plot indicated a slight increase in RR intervals dispersion after energy-based healing technique. Conclusion: A standardised energy-based healing technique marginally improved cardiac autonomic function in healthy subjects.