Amelioration of Adults' Mental Health Conditions and Symptoms Through Spiritual Energy Therapy: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Reduced physical activities, social support, old age, and increased exposure to regular stressful life events are crucial factors for poor mental health. Although several medicines are available to support mental health-related symptoms, due to more side effects and non-compliance for long-term use, these conventional medicines are not appropriate to tackle these symptoms. In this context, the study aimed to determine whether spiritual energy therapy with an experienced spiritual energy practitioner could manage adults' psychological and mental health-related symptoms. A single-blind, active-controlled, randomized trial was performed. Enrolled participants (n = 80) exhibited at least one psychological symptom. Spiritual energy therapy was given to subjects at two time points (Days 0 and 90) in physical presence. Psychological scores and physiological biomarkers were assessed. Treatment group subjects were reported to have a significant (p ≤ 0.0001) improvement in psychological scores related to stress, depression, mental restlessness, emotional trauma, hopelessness, etc., compared to the control group subjects. Additionally, subjects in the treatment group also showed significant improvement in biological markers compared to those in the control group. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed. The current study data unveiled a significant effect of spiritual energy therapy on improving adults' mental health conditions and symptoms, and significantly decreased elevated proinflammatory and oxidative stress biomarker levels in the treatment group.

Keywords: biofield therapy; biomarker; complementary and alternative medicine; mental health; spiritual energy therapy.