This study aims to study the clinical effects of Energy Healing using fMRI and determine its application to Fibromyalgia patients. We also want to find out how active Energy Healing compares to sham Energy Healing in terms of brain connectivity and pain interference scores.
The primary objective is to investigate the effects of energy healing as compared to sham EH on brain connectivity of the insula/salience network, sensory motor network, and default mode network as primary outcomes using fcMRI. The secondary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of EH in reducing clinical pain severity and interference (secondary outcomes) and their relationship to brain connectivity (secondary outcomes) as compared to placebo/sham EH. The exploratory objective is to understand the effects of EH versus sham EH on brain functional response to visual stimuli, insular glutamate, heart rate variability, mood, sleep, and fatigue symptoms in fibromyalgia patients (all exploratory outcomes).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
25
EH derives from the theory that by using the body's biological energy, there can be a therapeutic effect that guides the patient towards a homeostatic state. Preliminary data in chronic pain patients, suggests that EH, delivered by an experienced practitioner, is able to reduce self-reported pain symptoms within minutes. Effects lasting for weeks to months have also been anecdotally reported. For patients with pain, this can result in a reduction of symptoms. Participants will also be presented with sham EH as a control.
University of California at Irvine
Irvine, California, United States
RECRUITINGNeural connectivity
change in brain connectivity of the insula/salience network (SLN), sensory motor network (SMN), and default mode network (DMN) resulting from energy healing (EH) as compared to sham EH.
Time frame: Pre screening, Baseline, Intervention, 3- and 6-month follow ups Post-treatment
Pain severity
changes in pain severity and interference and their relationships to brain connectivity. We will determine if EH is effective in reducing clinical pain severity and interference as compared to placebo/sham EH and assess changes in their relationships before and after EH/sham EH to changes in brain connectivity.
Time frame: Pre screening, Baseline, Intervention, 3- and 6-month follow ups Post-treatment
Effects of Energy Healing vs sham Energy Healing on brain functional response
As exploratory outcomes, we will also explore the effects of EH vs sham EH on brain functional response to visual stimuli, insular Glx, heart rate variability, mood, sleep, and fatigue symptoms in FM patients.
Time frame: Pre screening, Baseline, Intervention, 3- and 6-month follow ups Post-treatment
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