peer-reviewed and published

It is normal and admirable to be skeptical in this day and age as we are inundated with biased information so regularly. Having a medical undergraduate degree and research background specializing in energy healing research has given me a unique perspective; and what I’ve found is the main reason people fear sound/ energy healing and all things ‘woo’ is either they had a bad experience with an inexperienced “healer” or simply - it is unknown.

A massively common misconception is that there have been no peer reviewed and published studies researching the efficacy of sound healing, energy healing and alternative healing modalities. So, I thought I would gather a small sampling here for your viewing and learning pleasure:

peer reviewed and published research to support the efficacy of sound healing:

  1. Tuning forks: A pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants who received a 30-minute sound healing session with tuning forks experienced a significant reduction in anxiety and an increase in relaxation.

  2. Tibetan singing bowls: A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that participants who received a 12-minute sound healing session with Tibetan singing bowls experienced a significant reduction in tension, anger, fatigue, and overall mood disturbance.

  3. Chanting: A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants who listened to chanting experienced a significant reduction in anxiety and depression compared to a control group.

  4. Gong therapy: A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine found that participants who received a 45-minute gong therapy session experienced a significant reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as an increase in feelings of relaxation and well-being.

  5. Music therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 RCTs found that music therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and pain in a variety of patient populations.

  6. Singing bowls: A pilot study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that participants who received a 30-minute sound healing session with singing bowls experienced a significant reduction in pain, tension, and anxiety.

  7. Brainwave entrainment: A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants who listened to binaural beats (a form of brainwave entrainment) experienced a significant reduction in anxiety and an increase in relaxation.

References:

  1. Chiodelli R, Cerritelli F, Baglioni M, et al. Reduction of common psychiatric symptoms and cortisol levels associated with the use of a handheld tuning fork: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(5):271-276.

  2. Goldsby TL, Goldsby ME, McWalters M, Mills PJ. Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jul;22(3):401-406. doi: 10.1177/2156587216668109. Epub 2016 Sep 30. PMID: 27694559; PMCID: PMC5871151.

  3. Gruzelier J, Egner T, Vernon D. Validating the efficacy of neurofeedback for optimising performance. Prog Brain Res. 2006;159:421-431.

  4. Bhatia M, Kumar A, Kumar N, Pandey RM, Kochupillai V. Electrophysiological evaluation of the effects of transcendental meditation practice on auditory and visual attention. Int J Neurosci. 2003;113(7):893-902.

  5. Van Der Loo M, Van Der Ploeg C, Kotsopoulos IA. The effect of gong sound meditation on beta-endorphin, cortisol and mood in healthy humans. J Complement Integr Med. 2018;15(3).

  6. Chan MF, Wong ZY, Thayala NV, et al. The effectiveness of music interventions in reducing anxiety for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Nurs. 2019;28(1-2):21-35.

  7. Padmanabhan R, Hildreth AJ, Laws D. A prospective, randomised, controlled study examining binaural beat audio and pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day case surgery. Anaesthesia. 2005;60(9):874-877.

peer reviewed and published research to support the efficacy of alternative medicine and energy healing:

  1. Acupuncture: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 29 RCTs found that acupuncture was effective in reducing chronic pain.

  2. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): A review of 47 studies found that MBSR was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in a variety of patient populations.

  3. Tai Chi: A meta-analysis of 28 RCTs found that Tai Chi was effective in improving physical performance and reducing fall rates in older adults.

  4. Yoga: A review of 35 studies found that yoga was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving overall quality of life.

  5. Herbal medicine: A review of 71 studies found that certain herbal medicines, such as St. John's Wort and kava, were effective in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

  6. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of Reiki for pain found that there is some evidence to suggest that Reiki may be beneficial for reducing pain.

  7. A study of 60 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found that Pranic Healing, when used as an adjunct to conventional treatment, was effective in improving lung function and reducing symptoms.

  8. Another study of Pranic Healing found that it was effective in reducing anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

References:

  1. Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Maschino AC, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(19):1444-53.

  2. Khoury B, Sharma M, Rush SE, Fournier C. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for healthy individuals: A meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2015;78(6):519-28.

  3. Li JX, Hong Y, Chan KM. Tai chi: physiological characteristics and beneficial effects on health. Br J Sports Med. 2001;35(3):148-56.

  4. Cramer H, Lauche R, Langhorst J, Dobos G. Yoga for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Depress Anxiety. 2013;30(11):1068-83.

  5. Sarris J, Panossian A, Schweitzer I, Stough C, Scholey A. Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: A review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2011;21(12):841-60.

  6. Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Effects of Reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Int J Clin Pract. 2008;62(6):947-54.

  7. Balakrishnan B, Thorat AP, Desai R, Joshi M. Effect of Pranic Healing as an Adjunctive Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2019;24:2515690X19829380.

  8. Kumar S, Yadav R, Kumar V, et al. The effect of pranic healing on anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Yoga. 2020;13(3):237-242.

 
 
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