The Effects of Core Shamanism in Fibromyalgia
University of California, Irvine
Summary
This study aims to determine the feasibility of a shamanism intervention for patients with fibromyalgia, acquire efficacy data to determine if Shamanism reduces clinical pain and other common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, and determine if the Shamanism intervention changes heart rate electrocardiogram (ECG), breathing rate, and brain wave electroencephalogram (EEG) outcomes in fibromyalgia patients and shamanic practitioners. The investigators hypothesize that 80% of individuals will complete at least 80% of study visits, clinical pain severity and/or interference will be significantly reduced following the Shamanic intervention, and lung, heart, and/or brain activity will be altered with the Shamanic intervention and also become more synchronized between Shamanic Practitioners (SPs) and patients during the course of treatment.
Description
This study includes an 8-week long intervention, with 5 one-on-one treatment sessions with Fibromyalgia (FM) participants and shamanic practitioners (SPs). During each treatment session the FM participant will listen to classical music first as a control, followed by drumming music (4-7 beats/sec) for 15-30 minutes with the SP and a debrief session. The SP will employ the structure and principles of "Core Shamanism" as developed by Michael Harner. The first and last treatment sessions will include EEG measurements of both the patient and practitioner, while all sessions will have ECG and breat…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria for Fibromyalgia participants: * Female * Over 18 and under 75 years of age. * Fibromyalgia patients and satisfies the 2016 Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria for the classification of FM. * Mean recalled pain over the last seven days (7-day recall) greater than or equal to 4 on a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain; 7-day recall. * Willing to limit the introduction of any new medications or treatment modalities for control of FM symptoms during the study. * Able to travel to the study site to receive shamanic treatments up to twice weekly. * Understanding and willing to…
Interventions
- OtherCore Shamanism
Each Shamanic intervention session, led by the shamanic practitioner, will include classical music as a control, followed by repetitive drumming and/or rattling music which the participant and shamanic practitioner will listen to for 15-30 mins. Following listening to drumming, the patient will then talk with the shamanic practitioner to debrief the experience of each session. Participants will also listen to classical music as a control stimulus.
Location
- Susan Samueli Integrative Health InstituteIrvine, California