Sympathetic Arousal during a Touch-Based Healing Ritual Predicts Increased Well-Being.

Karin Meissner,Anne Koch

doi:10.1155/2015/641704

Abstract

Objective. There is mounting evidence that more elaborate treatment rituals trigger larger nonspecific effects. The reasons for this remain unclear. In a pilot field study, we investigated the role of psychophysiological changes during a touch-based healing ritual for improvements in subjective well-being. Methods. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin conductance levels (SCL) were continuously assessed in 22 subjects before, during, and after a touch-based healing ritual. Participants rated their expectations and subjective well-being was assessed before and after the ritual by the “Short Questionnaire on Current Disposition”. Results. Subjective well-being increased significantly from before to after the ritual. The analysis of psychophysiological changes revealed a significant increase in respiratory rate from baseline to ritual, while skin conductance, heart rate, and heart rate variability did not change. Increases in SCL as well as decreases in respiratory rate from baseline to ritual were significantly associated with improvements in subjective well-being. Regression analyses showed increases in SCL to be the only significant predictor of improvements in well-being. Conclusion. Higher sympathetic arousal during a touch-based healing ritual predicted improvements in subjective well-being. Results suggest the occurrence of an anticipatory stress response, that is, a state of enhanced sympathetic activity that is known to precede relaxation.

Highlights

Intervention effects consist of both specific and nonspecific effects [1]
Nonspecific effects are thought to be due to psychobiological processes triggered by the overall therapeutic context [2] and are mediated by the patient’s expectations towards the treatment, previous experience with treatments, and characteristics of the patient-provider-interaction [3]
This suggests that more complex treatment rituals are associated with larger nonspecific effects

Summary

Introduction

Intervention effects consist of both specific and nonspecific effects [1]. Nonspecific effects (synonymous with placebo effects) are thought to be due to psychobiological processes triggered by the overall therapeutic context [2] and are mediated by the patient’s expectations towards the treatment, previous experience with treatments (learning), and characteristics of the patient-provider-interaction [3]. In a meta-analysis on migraine prophylaxis, sham acupuncture and sham surgery were associated with significantly larger responder ratios than oral placebo pills [5] This suggests that more complex treatment rituals are associated with larger nonspecific effects. One example is ritual touch healing, in which a therapist “transfers energy” to the diseased sites of the patient and/or “removes blockages from the patient’s energy field” [6]. Participation in these carefully performed, longlasting rituals may give rise to intensified experiences, which in turn may enhance the patient’s expectations towards the power of the ritual. The slight stimulation of the skin by slow, stroking movements of the healer’s hand may trigger nonspecific treatment effects by enhancing trust and bond between the healee and the healer: pleasant touch has rewarding properties and can set in motion an affective/motivational response, including emotional arousal and the release of the bonding-hormone oxytocin [7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion