The Effects of Energy Healing in Fibromyalgia
University of California, Irvine
Summary
This study aims to study the clinical effects of Energy Healing using fMRI and determine its application to Fibromyalgia patients. We also want to find out how active Energy Healing compares to sham Energy Healing in terms of brain connectivity and pain interference scores.
Description
The primary objective is to investigate the effects of energy healing as compared to sham EH on brain connectivity of the insula/salience network, sensory motor network, and default mode network as primary outcomes using fcMRI. The secondary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of EH in reducing clinical pain severity and interference (secondary outcomes) and their relationship to brain connectivity (secondary outcomes) as compared to placebo/sham EH. The exploratory objective is to understand the effects of EH versus sham EH on brain functional response to visual stimuli, insular glut…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Female * Over 18 and under 75 years of age. * Fibromyalgia patients must meet the 2016 Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria for the classification of FM. * Mean recalled pain over the last seven days (7-day recall) between 4-10 cm on Visual - - - - Analog Scale (VAS) for pain with no pain free days in the last 2 months and active pain in resting state lying on back. * No contraindications for MRI, such as metal in the body or electrical devices in the body. * Willing to limit the introduction of any new medications or treatment modalities for control of FM symptoms during th…
Interventions
- OtherEnergy Healing
EH derives from the theory that by using the body's biological energy, there can be a therapeutic effect that guides the patient towards a homeostatic state. Preliminary data in chronic pain patients, suggests that EH, delivered by an experienced practitioner, is able to reduce self-reported pain symptoms within minutes. Effects lasting for weeks to months have also been anecdotally reported. For patients with pain, this can result in a reduction of symptoms. Participants will also be presented with sham EH as a control.
Location
- University of California at IrvineIrvine, California