Neurophysiological Effects of Harmonisation: The Effect of Harmonisation on Heart Rate Variability, Respiratory Rate and Electroencephalograph

 Harmonisation is a practice whereby the harmoniser, who is centered in silent prayer, opens and nourishes the subject's chakras, using touch. This technique has been widely used since 1933, with substantial anecdotal evidence about its benefits, but no published, peer-reviewed data. This preliminary study aimed to discover if standard physiological measuring techniques can detect any significant changes in the central and autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary system during harmonisation. A simple, comparative design was used, with one experimental group of 20 self-selecting, healthy women, naive to harmonisation. The results were compared with reference data, matched for age and gender, from non-intervention control studies conducted by the same experimenters in the same neurophysiological laboratory. An 3D-minute recording session determined baseline, intervention and stabilization measurements of electroencephalographic, electrocardiographic, and respiratory data. A significant lowering of brain activity was found during the opening phase of harmonisation, implying a state of increased mental focus coupled with a sense of calmness and relaxation, while significant changes to heart beatlrespiration ratios were observed during the nourishing phase. This suggests that different physiological processes affecting the central and autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary system may occur during different phases of harmonisation

Neurophysiological Effects of Harmonisation: The Effect of Harmonisation on Heart Rate Variability, Respiratory Rate and Electroencephalograph

 Harmonisation is a practice whereby the harmoniser, who is centered in silent prayer, opens and nourishes the subject's chakras, using touch. This technique has been widely used since 1933, with substantial anecdotal evidence about its benefits, but no published, peer-reviewed data. This preliminary study aimed to discover if standard physiological measuring techniques can detect any significant changes in the central and autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary system during harmonisation. A simple, comparative design was used, with one experimental group of 20 self-selecting, healthy women, naive to harmonisation. The results were compared with reference data, matched for age and gender, from non-intervention control studies conducted by the same experimenters in the same neurophysiological laboratory. An 3D-minute recording session determined baseline, intervention and stabilization measurements of electroencephalographic, electrocardiographic, and respiratory data. A significant lowering of brain activity was found during the opening phase of harmonisation, implying a state of increased mental focus coupled with a sense of calmness and relaxation, while significant changes to heart beatlrespiration ratios were observed during the nourishing phase. This suggests that different physiological processes affecting the central and autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary system may occur during different phases of harmonisation

Skull Base Erosion and Associated Complications in Sphenoid Sinus Fungal Balls

Background Sphenoid sinus fungal balls (SSFB) are rare entities that can result in serious orbital and intracranial complications. There are few published reports of complications that result from SSFB. Objective To review the incidence of skull base erosion and orbital or intracranial complications in patients who present with SSFB. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all the patients with SSFB who were treated at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary from 2006 to 2014. Presenting clinical data, radiology, operative reports, pathology, and postoperative course were reviewed. Results Forty-three patients with SSFB were identified. Demographic data were compared between patients with (39.5%) and those without (61.5%) skull base erosion. Two patients underwent emergent surgery for acute complications of SSFB (one patient with blindness, one patient who had a seizure). Both patients with acute complications had evidence of skull base erosion, whereas no patients with an intact skull base developed an orbital or intracranial complication (p = 0.15). All the patients were surgically managed via an endoscopic approach. Conclusion SSFBs are rare but may cause significant skull base erosion and potentially severe orbital and intracranial complications if not treated appropriately. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy is effective in treating SSFB and should be performed emergently in patients who presented with associated complications