Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04900805

Temperature Variation During Meditative Practices

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

INBB

Roma, 00136, Italy

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

. Experience in meditative practice

Exclusion criteria

-

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Temperature variation during meditative practice

    Time frame: 1 hour

    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

Secondary outcomes

  1. Comparison of temperature variation in different points of the hands

    Time frame: 1 hour

    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

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Studies of Physiological Effects During Practices of Alternative Mediicine

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
May 25, 2021
Registry last updated
Jun 28, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.