Perceived outcomes of spiritual healing: results from a prospective case series

BACKGROUND: The aims of this pilot study were to observe perceived outcomes of spiritual healing in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective case study, we performed qualitative interviews with clients and healers about perceived outcomes of spiritual healing treatments. A directed qualitative content analysis was used. In addition, we applied questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence 13, SpREUK-15, intensity of complaints on visual analogue scale) at baseline and after week 1, month 2 and month 6 which were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Seven healers and 7 clients participated, 42 interviews were analysed. In the interviews, the clients described positive body sensations, greater relaxation and well-being as short-term effects of healing treatments. Perceived longer-term effects were related to making significant life changes, creating new meanings, activating resources and improving social relationships. Patients in pain described a reduction of pain intensity. In the questionnaires, the clients reported improvements in quality of life and self-efficacy, to a smaller extent improvements of intensity of complaints and sense of coherence. CONCLUSION: The results from this pilot study could be useful to choose outcomes of future prospective studies with a larger sample: qualitative assessments combined with global and broad quantitative outcomes such as quality of life, self-efficacy and intensity of complaints could be applied

Wahrgenommene Effekte spirituellen Heilens: Ergebnisse einer prospektiven Fallserie

Background: The aims of this pilot study were to observe perceived outcomes of spiritual healing in Germany. Patients and Methods: In this prospective case study, we performed qualitative interviews with clients and healers about perceived outcomes of spiritual healing treatments. A directed qualitative content analysis was used. In addition, we applied questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence 13, SpREUK-15, intensity of complaints on visual analogue scale) at baseline and after week 1, month 2 and month 6 which were analysed descriptively. Results: Seven healers and 7 clients participated, 42 interviews were analysed. In the interviews, the clients described positive body sensations, greater relaxation and well-being as short-term effects of healing treatments. Perceived longer-term effects were related to making significant life changes, creating new meanings, activating resources and improving social relationships. Patients in pain described a reduction of pain intensity. In the questionnaires, the clients reported improvements in quality of life and self-efficacy, to a smaller extent improvements of intensity of complaints and sense of coherence. Conclusion: The results from this pilot study could be useful to choose outcomes of future prospective studies with a larger sample: qualitative assessments combined with global and broad quantitative outcomes such as quality of life, self-efficacy and intensity of complaints could be applied.Hintergrund: Ziel dieser Pilotstudie war es, subjektiv wahrgenommene Effekte des spirituellen Heilens quali­tativ und quantitativ zu erfassen. Patienten und Metho­den: In dieser prospektiven Pilotstudie wurden über 6 Monate qualitative Interviews mit Klienten und Heilern über wahrgenommene Effekte spiritueller Heilbehandlungen geführt und auf Basis einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Ergebnisse wurden zusätzlich mit Fragebögen (WHOQOL-BREF, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence 13, SpREUK-15, Beschwerdeintensität auf visueller Analogskala) zu Studienbeginn und nach der Woche 1, Monat 2 und Monat 6 erfasst. Ergebnisse: Sieben Heiler und 7 Klienten nahmen an dieser Studie teil, 42 ­Interviews wurden analysiert. Klienten beschrieben als kurzfristige Effekte der Heilbehandlungen positive Körperempfindungen, mehr Entspannung und Wohlbefinden. Die längerfristig wahrgenommenen Effekte standen im Zusammenhang mit signifikanten Veränderungen des Lebens, neuen Deutungen, Ressourcenaktivierung und der Verbesserung sozialer Beziehungen durch die Klien­ten. Klienten mit Schmerzen beschrieben eine Verringe­rung der Schmerzintensität. In den Fragebögen zeigten sich Verbesserungen der Lebensqualität und der Selbstwirksamkeit, zu einem geringeren Ausmaß Verbesserungen der Beschwerdeintensität und des Kohärenzgefühls. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse dieser Pilotstudie könnten nützlich sein, um Endpunkte für künftige pros­pektive Studien mit einem größeren Stichprobenumfang zu wählen: qualitative Analysen in Kombination mit Fragebögen, die globale und umfassende Aspekte wie Lebensqualität, Selbstwirksamkeit und Intensität der ­Beschwerden erfassen, sind unserer Ansicht nach am besten geeignet

Thoughts, beliefs and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine – a qualitative study

Background: Physicians who include complementary medicine in their practice are thought to have an understanding of health and disease different from that of colleagues practicing conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the thoughts and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis and scarlet fever) of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine. Methods: This qualitative study used semistructured interviews. Participating physicians were either general practitioners or pediatricians. Data collection and analysis were guided by a grounded theory approach. Results: Eighteen physicians were interviewed (6 homeopathic, 6 anthroposophic and 6 conventional). All physicians agreed that while many classic infectious childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella are rarely observed today, other diseases, such as chickenpox and scarlet fever, are still commonly diagnosed. All interviewed physicians vaccinated against childhood diseases. A core concern for physicians practicing conventional medicine was the risk of complications of the diseases. Therefore, it was considered essential for them to advise their patients to strictly follow the vaccination schedule. Homeopathic-oriented physicians viewed acute disease as a biological process necessary to strengthen health, fortify the immune system and increase resistance to chronic disease. They tended to treat infectious childhood diseases with homeopathic remedies and administered available vaccines as part of individual decision-making approaches with parents. For anthroposophic-oriented physicians, infectious childhood diseases were considered a crucial factor in the psychosocial growth of children. They tended to treat these diseases with anthroposophic medicine and underlined the importance of the family's resources. Informing parents about the potential benefits and risks of vaccination was considered important. All physicians agreed that parent-delivered loving care of a sick child could benefit the parent-child relationship. Additionally, all recognized that existing working conditions hindered parents from providing such care for longer durations of time. Conclusions: The interviewed physicians agreed that vaccines are an important aspect of modern pediatrics. They differed in their approach regarding when and what to vaccinate against. The different conceptual understandings of infectious childhood diseases influenced this decision-making. A survey with a larger sample would be needed to verify these observations

Experiences and Perceived Effects of Rosary Praying: A Qualitative Study

The aim of this study is to explore experiences and perceived effects of the Rosary on issues around health and well-being, as well as on spirituality and religiosity. A qualitative study was conducted interviewing ten Roman Catholic German adults who regularly practiced the Rosary prayer. As a result of using a tangible prayer cord and from the rhythmic repetition of prayers, the participants described experiencing stability, peace and a contemplative connection with the Divine, with Mary as a guide and mediator before God. Praying the Rosary was described as helpful in coping with critical life events and in fostering an attitude of acceptance, humbleness and devotion

A Qualitative Study of Healers and Their Clients in Germany

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the nature of the relationships between healers and their clients in Germany. Methods. An interdisciplinary research team performed semistructured interviews with healers and clients and participatory observation of healing sessions. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. Results. Fifteen healers and sixteen clients were included. The healer-client relationship was described as a profound and unique experience, which brought forth interpersonal and spiritual connections. The healers were seen as role models for healing to occur and support for being connected spiritually. The clients had to be open-minded and responsible. The importance of the healers’ empathy was emphasized. Discussion. The relationship between healer and client can be seen as a triangular connection between client, healer, and a transcendent source which is not the case in typical patient- doctor relationships. The spiritual connection is also said to enhance the empathetic understanding of the healer. The personality and a partner-like attitude of the healer supported the client in giving a more positive meaning to his life, in reconnecting to his spirituality, and in taking responsibility. Future studies should address the role of spirituality in health care and the development of enduring healer-client relationships

Homeopathy for Depression - DEP-HOM: study protocol for a randomized, partially double-blind, placebo controlled, four armed study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Homeopathy is often sought by patients with depression. In classical homeopathy, the treatment consists of two main elements: the case history and the prescription of an individually selected homeopathic remedy. Previous data suggest that individualized homeopathic Q-potencies were not inferior to the antidepressant fluoxetine in a sample of patients with moderate to severe depression. However, the question remains whether individualized homeopathic Q-potencies and/or the type of the homeopathic case history have a specific therapeutical effect in acute depression as this has not yet been investigated. The study aims to assess the two components of individualized homeopathic treatment for acute depression, i.e., to investigate the specific effect of individualized Q-potencies versus placebo and to investigate the effect of different approaches to the homeopathic case history.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A randomized, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-armed trial using a 2 × 2 factorial design with a six-week study duration per patient will be performed. 228 patients diagnosed with major depression (moderate episode) by a psychiatrist will be included. The primary endpoint is the total score on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale after six weeks. Secondary end points are: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total score after two and four weeks; response and remission rates, Beck Depression inventory total score, quality of life and safety at two, four and six weeks. Statistical analyses will be by intention-to-treat. The main endpoint will be analysed by a two-factorial analysis of covariance. Within this model generalized estimation equations will be used to estimate differences between verum and placebo, and between both types of case history.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>For the first time this study evaluates both the specific effect of homeopathic medicines and of a homeopathic case taking in patients with depression. It is an attempt to deal with the challenges of homeopathic research and the results might be useful information in the current discussion about the evidence on homeopathy</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01178255">NCT01178255</a></p

Lack of the serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1 attenuates the volume retention after treatment with the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone

PPARgamma-agonists enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glucose utilization in diabetic patients. Adverse effects of PPARgamma-agonists include volume retention and edema formation. Recent observations pointed to the ability of PPARgamma agonists to enhance transcription of the serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1, a kinase that is genomically upregulated by mineralocorticoids and stimulates various renal channels and transporters including the renal epithelial Na+ channel ENaC. SGK1 has been proposed to mediate the volume retention after treatment with PPARgamma agonists. To test this hypothesis, food containing the PPARgamma agonist pioglitazone (0.02%, i.e., approximately 25 mg/kg bw/day) was administered to gene-targeted mice lacking SGK1 (sgk1-/-, n=12) and their wild-type littermates (sgk1+/+), n=12). According to in situ hybridization, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence, treatment with pioglitazone significantly increased renal SGK1 mRNA and protein expression in sgk1+/+ mice. The treatment increased body weight significantly in both, sgk1+/+ mice (+2.2+/-0.3 g) and sgk-/- mice (+1.3+/-0.2 g), and decreased hematocrit significantly in sgk1+/+ mice (-6.5+/-1.0%) and sgk1-/- mice (-3.1+/-0.6%). Both effects were significantly (p<0.05) more pronounced in sgk1+/+ mice. According to Evans Blue distribution, pioglitazone increased plasma volume only in sgk1+/+ mice (from 50.9+/-3.9 to 63.7+/-2.5 microl/g bw) but not in sgk-/- mice (from 46.8+/-3.8 to 48.3+/-5.2 microl/g bw). Pioglitazone decreased aldosterone plasma levels and blood pressure and increased leptin plasma levels in both genotypes. We conclude that SGK1 contributes to but does not fully account for the volume retention during treatment with the PPARgamma agonist pioglitazone

Variance of the SGK1 Gene Is Associated with Insulin Secretion in Different European Populations: Results from the TUEF, EUGENE2, and METSIM Studies

HYPOTHESIS:Serum- and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase 1 (SGK1) is involved in the regulation of insulin secretion and may represent a candidate gene for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. METHODS:Three independent European populations were analyzed for the association of SGK1 gene (SGK) variations and insulin secretion traits. The German TUEF project provided the screening population (N = 725), and four tagging SNPs (rs1763527, rs1743966, rs1057293, rs9402571) were investigated. EUGENE2 (N = 827) served as a replication cohort for the detected associations. Finally, the detected associations were validated in the METSIM study, providing 3798 non-diabetic and 659 diabetic (type 2) individuals. RESULTS:Carriers of the minor G allele in rs9402571 had significantly higher C-peptide levels in the 2 h OGTT (+10.8%, p = 0.04; dominant model) and higher AUC(C-Peptide)/AUC(Glc) ratios (+7.5%, p = 0.04) compared to homozygous wild type TT carriers in the screening population. As interaction analysis for BMIxrs9402571 was significant (p = 0.04) for the endpoint insulin secretion, we stratified the TUEF cohort for BMI, using a cut off point of BMI = 25. The effect on insulin secretion only remained significant in lean TUEF participants (BMI< or =25). This finding was replicated in lean EUGENE2 rs9402571 minor allele carriers, who had a significantly higher AUC(Ins)/AUC(Glc) (TT: 226+/-7, XG: 246+/-9; p = 0.019). Accordingly, the METSIM trial revealed a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes (OR: 0.85; 95%CI: 0.71-1.01; p = 0.065, dominant model) in rs9402571 minor allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS:The rs9402571 SGK genotype associates with increased insulin secretion in lean non-diabetic TUEF/EUGENE2 participants and with lower diabetes prevalence in METSIM. Our study in three independent European populations supports the conclusion that SGK variability affects diabetes risk