RESUMO
Background: In the biofield literature, it is suggested that electromagnetic energy is part of the biofield. However, little is known about the exact definition of potential electromagnetic biofield frequency bands (FBs).Primary Study Objective: The current study sought to identify biofield FBs and test potential group differences.Methods/Design: High-frequency (i.e. >200 Hertz) voltage was measured at body parts along the spine and the brain. Setting: Measurements were conducted in an electrically shielded laboratory. Participants: Twenty experienced biofield practitioners (BPs, sample 1) and twenty-four students (STs, sample 2) participated in the study. Interventions: The BPs performed a wide set of biofield exercises, while the STs participated in an assessment centre (with exercises such as role play). A total of N = 342 exercises were performed.Primary Outcome Measures: Based on surface electromyography, high-frequency (i.e., >200 Hertz) voltage was utilized as outcome measure. Results: 10 FBs were identified across all the data sets. The BPs had higher spectral power across these bands compared to the STs. Conclusion: The present paper presents a replicable method for the assessment of electromagnetic FBs which are potentially useful for future biofield research.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: As an attempt to explore and quantify the potential effects of spiritual ceremonies, the present study evaluated the effect of a spiritual ceremony on four independent facets of quality of life. DESIGN: Overall, ten persons participated in a half-day spiritual ceremony. Participants completed a survey on quality of life (a) four weeks prior to the ceremony (T1), (b) three days before (T2) and (c) four weeks after the ceremony (T3). RESULTS: Statistical analyses demonstrated that the ceremony had a positive effect on spiritual and mental quality of life. The ceremony did not enhance participants' physical and emotional quality of life. Implications for future research are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Spiritual ceremonies might serve as a booster for spiritual and mental quality of life.
