The findings from research by the University of Exeter Medical School, have now been published in the peer-reviewed publication “Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice”. I am delighted to share the results.
This CHO funded study into UK based spiritual/energy healers and their clients, shows that the majority of recipients had a positive experience and felt instant benefit or immediate improvement.
- The main reasons for consulting were mental health issues and/or pain; many had multiple health problems.
- 93% reported immediate benefit. Outcomes included relaxation, improved wellbeing and less pain
- 27% of respondents reported some unusual sensory experience whilst receiving Healing.
These findings are important because they imply that Healing could offer significant benefit, in particular to those people experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, or chronic pain, adding weight to the case for an integrated approach to healthcare, with Healing offered alongside more traditional treatments.
The research also highlights that clients visited the healer for their ability to provide relief on mental, physical and emotional levels holistically. Many reported some sort of sensory experience whilst the healing took place, which suggests that something special is happening as the healers work. Professor Paul Dieppe, who conducted the research, feels that this will “make life more difficult for those who are sceptical about healing and dismiss it as ‘just placebo effect’ – although a safe, good placebo should never be dismissed.”
The findings are an important addition to research around Healing because they focus on what clients experience, rather than whether or not Healing works. It builds on earlier meta-analysis research commissioned by the CHO (which showed that healing does work).
You may download the full report on our Research section at: http://www.the-cho.org.uk/research/clients-of-uk-healers-a-mixed-methods-survey/