Temperature Variation During Meditative Practices

Healthy Clinical Trial

Official title:

Studies of Physiological Effects During Practices of Alternative Mediicine

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04900805
• Other study ID #: INBB1705
• Status: Completed
• Start date: June 5, 2021
• Est. completion date: June 19, 2021

Study information

• Verified date: June 2021
• Source: Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The temperature on selected points of the hands has been monitored during meditative practices. The practitioner is in complete rest for the time of the measure, and only mental activity is carried out. The purpose is to verify if the heat sensation, that is normally felt, is a real, measurable physiological effect, or if it is just a subjective feeling. Quantitative data analysis is foreseen.

Description:

Qigong is a traditional Chinese method for wellness and healing. During practice, which is based on the Qi circulation, it is usual to feel warmth, especially at the hands. The main purpose of this study is to verify if the sensation of heat is not just a subjective feeling but is a real, measurable physiological effect. Quantitative information will be hopefully derived from a simple data analysis. The study will be extended also to deep prayer meditation.

The measurement sessions will consist of two periods of practice separated by one pause period, to ensure that the temperature variation is not due to spurious effects.

T type thermocouples will be used for the temperature measurements, with sensors in the form of small copper disk. The thermocouples will be connected to a data logger, and the results analyzed. The sensors will be positioned in different points of the hands, either on the palm and on the dorsum. The Laogong (PC8) acupuncture point will be preferentially chosen, because is a very important point, from the energetic point of view, of the Traditional Chinese Medicine. and because the sensation of heat is more acute in this point. Other points will be also measured, and compared with the Laogong.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 2
• Est. completion date: June 19, 2021
• Est. primary completion date: June 12, 2021
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

. Experience in meditative practice

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Healthy

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Italy	INBB	Roma

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Italy, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Temperature variation during meditative practice	The variation of the temperature in specific points of the hands will be obtained during meditative practice. In general the study will consist in two periods of practice separated by a pause	1 hour
Secondary	Comparison of temperature variation in different points of the hands	The temperature will be measured in different points of the hands, in relation with relevant points of the Traditional Chines medicine (Acupuncture points), and their behavior compared	1 hour