Effect of Spiritist "Passe" Energy Therapy in Reducing Anxiety in Volunteers

The use of complementary medicine has increased significantly worldwide and up to 40% of American patients use some form of complementary therapy[1,2 ]. Among these are the energy therapies such as Reiki[3], Johrei, and Spiritist "passe"[4]. These therapies are based on the modification of the energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body, and are supposedly involved in the health and disease process. Application of these therapies involves touch or laying hands on these energy fields, the existence of which has not yet been proven. Experimental studies have shown the action of energy therapies in animal models or in cell cultures[5,6,4]. Johrei proved to be effective in improving sleep in mice subjected to sleep interruption[5] and in reducing tumor cell growth in vitro[6]. An experimental study was recently published showing the effect of Spiritist "passe" on the growth of bacterial colonies of Escherichia coli. When "passe" was applied with the intention of reducing the growth of colonies there was a statistically significant reduction compared to the control group, subjected to laying of the hands without application of "passe" [4]. This study is recognized as the first experimental evidence of "passe" which is widespread in spiritism. Spiritism is a very common religion and philosophy in Brazil and the use of Spiritist "passe" is a form of treatment under this religion that is highly established in the treatment of psychiatric disorders[7,8]. Therapies used in spiritualism include Spiritist "passe," spiritist education, disobsession, and fluidic water. Studies investigating the scientific basis of these therapies are beginning to feature in the literature[8,9,10]. For energy therapies with clinical purposes, a few meta-analysis studies have evaluated distance healing and some touch therapies without reaching conclusive results, indicating a high heterogeneity between studies and presenting the need for more primary studies in the field[11,12]. Among the energy therapies, Reiki is the most widely studied; however, in recent meta-analysis, due to the large variability of the studies, different endpoints (anxiety, pain, depression) and methodological flaws, its efficacy has not yet been confirmed[13]. However, a more recent systematic review shows the efficacy of Reiki in reducing anxiety and pain[14].

Thus, despite the heterogeneity of the studies, energy therapies appear to have positive effects, particularly on the reduction of anxiety and pain. Spiritist "passe" is an important therapy in Brazil that is similar to other energy therapies such as Reiki and Johrei, and its efficacy has been experimentally confirmed[4]. Therefore, studies on clinical outcomes of this important form of complementary therapy are necessary. Unlike Reiki[14] and Johrei[15], there are no clinical studies on Spiritist "passe" despite its similar basis as an energy therapy.

1. STUDY HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis of the study is that the Spiritist "passe" energy therapy will result in the reduction of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improved quality of life in subjects with anxiety. The primary objective is to evaluate the Spiritist "passe" therapy in reducing anxiety in subjects with symptoms of anxiety after 8 weeks of study.

II. OBJECTIVES