Sympathetic Arousal during a Touch-Based Healing Ritual Predicts Increased Well-Being
Joint Authors
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-6, 6 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-07-05
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
6
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
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.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Meissner, Karin& Koch, Anne. 2015. Sympathetic Arousal during a Touch-Based Healing Ritual Predicts Increased Well-Being. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1063419
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Meissner, Karin& Koch, Anne. Sympathetic Arousal during a Touch-Based Healing Ritual Predicts Increased Well-Being. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1063419
American Medical Association (AMA)
Meissner, Karin& Koch, Anne. Sympathetic Arousal during a Touch-Based Healing Ritual Predicts Increased Well-Being. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1063419
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1063419