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ABSTRACT
Aims
To study the effects of Pranic Healing (PH), as a complementary therapy to improve lung function, physiological condition and quality of life of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.
Methods
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study. 21 males with a mean age of 61.6 years and COPD stage II were randomly allocated to PH and control groups. The PH group received PH sessions thrice weekly during the study.
The control group received Sham PH. Data was collected during baseline and four scheduled visits of the participants during six months. The primary outcome of the study was to access the reduction in COPD symptoms and to increase participation in physical and social activities by evaluating Spirometry, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).
Results
Significant improvement for PH group in Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (p=0.02), SGRQ domains of Activity (p=0.006), Impact (p=0.002), Total (p=0.000), and non-significant change in Symptom domain (p=0.44). PH group showed a positive tendency in 6 MWT and HRSD scores with insignificant difference between the groups. No serious adverse events occurred during the study.
Conclusion
PH as an adjunct to conventional treatment can improve lung function and quality of life of COPD subjects.
Key Words
Lung, energy healing, quality of life, complementary therapy
What this study adds:
1. What is known about this subject?
COPD is the third most life-threatening lung diseases in the world.
2. What new information is offered in this study?
Pranic Healing as complementary therapy was applied to improve outcome in COPD patients.
3. What are the implications for research, policy, or practice?
The findings in this study are of significance to complementary therapist and pulmonologist.
Background
According to WHO, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung ailment characterized by a tenacious obstruction of airflow in the lungs. Cigarettes' smoking is the most common cause and increases the risk of COPD and its exacerbation, clinically characterized by worsening dyspnoea, cough, sputum production, airflow obstruction and fatigue. COPD is the third highest cause of mortality in the world and its prevalence in India has significantly affected health related Quality of Life.1 Tiotropium is commonly prescribed medicine to treat COPD. However, few side effects like...