DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

An exploratory study for an evidence of electroencephalographic changes in isolated subjects for distant mental intention

  • Kim, Dae-Keun (Data Center for Korean EEG, Seoul National University / Center for Healing Science, College of Nursing, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2014.08.13
  • Accepted : 2014.11.19
  • Published : 2014.12.31

Abstract

This double-blind study, as a human experiment of nonlocality, investigated the effects of senders' intention on the central nervous system of a distant human receiver and it explored the roles that motivation might have in modulating these effects. Whole brain activity was measured in the receiver whom was asked to relax in a distant room for 16 minutes; the sending person directed intention of oneness toward the receiver during repeated variable-second epochs separated by variable-second non-intention epochs. The total length of intention epochs and that of nonintention epochs were balanced. Eighteen sessions were conducted. In 9 of those sessions, the sender was the receiver's lover. In another 9 of those sessions, the sender was just acquainted with the receiver before the session. The receiver's whole brain activity recorded during the intention epochs were compared with the same measures recorded during the nonintention epochs used as controls. The statistical difference between the intentions versus controls across 18 sessions was examined by paired-t test. In addition, subgroup analysis for the 9 couple sessions and 9 non-couple sessions were additionally examined by the same test. The effect of distant intentionality decreased slow waves or increased EEG fast waves mainly in frontal regions, and increased EEG coherence during the intention epochs. The effects was not statistically significant after Bonferroni correction, but the couple sessions combined showed the largest effect followed by all sessions combined. Non-couple sessions combined showed the smallest effect. The changes in EEG power mean that receiver participants became more alert during the intention epochs and the change in EEG coherence might be evidence of coherent heart influence on EEG activity. Planned comparison with specific hypothesis testing for the suggested changes in this study have to be followed for an evidence of electroencephalographic changes in isolated subjects for the distant mental intention.

Keywords

References

  1. Aspect A, Grangier P, and Roger G (1982) Experimental Realization of Einstein- Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm Gedanken experiment, A New Violation of Bell's Inequalities, Phys Rev Lett, 49, 91-94. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.49.91
  2. Astin JA, and Harkness E (2000) The Efficacy of Distant Healing: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials, Ann Intern Med, 132(11), 903-910. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-132-11-200006060-00009
  3. Byrd RC (1988) Positive Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer in a Coronary Care Unit Population, South Med J, 81, 826-829. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-198807000-00005
  4. Harris WS, Gowda M, Kolb JW, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Effects of Remote (1999) Intercessory Prayer on Outcomes in Patients Admitted to the Coronary Care Unit, Arch Intern Med, 159, 2273-2278.
  5. Hodge DR (2007) A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer, Res Soc Work Pract, 17(2), 174-187. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731506296170
  6. Kevin S. Masters, Glen I. Spielmans, and Jason T. Goodson (2006) 'Are There Demonstrable Effects of Distant Intercessory Prayer? A Meta-Analytic Review', Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 32, 21-26. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3201_3
  7. Kim DK, Whang MC, Kang SW et al., (2013) Dynamic correlations between heart and brain rhythm during Autogenic meditation, Front Hum Neurosci. 7, 414.
  8. Kim DK, Rhee JH and Kang SW (2013) Reorganization of the brain and heart rhythm during autogenic meditation, Front Integr Neurosci. 7, 109.
  9. McCraty R, Atkinson M, and Bradley R (2004) Electrophysiological Evidence of Intuition: Part 1. The Surprising Role of the Heart, J Altern and Complement Med, 10(1), 134-143.
  10. Montagnier L, Aissa J, Del GE, Lavellee C, and Tedeschi A (2011) DNA Waves and Water, J phys : Conference series, 306, 012007.
  11. Porges SW (2007) The Polyvagal Perspective, Biol Psychol, 74, 116-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.06.009
  12. Powell, Lynda H, and Shahabi L (2003) Religion and Spirituality: Linkages to Physical Health, Am Psychol, 58, 36-52. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.36
  13. Radin D, Stone J, Levine E, et al. (2008) Compassionate Intention as a Therapeutic Intervention by Partners of Cancer Patients: Effects of Distant Intention on the Patients' Autonomic Nervous System, EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing, 4, 235-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2008.04.002
  14. Schlitz MM, Braud, W (1997) Distant Intentionality and Healing : Assessing the Evidence, Altern Ther Health Med, 3, 62-73.
  15. Schlitz M, and Laberge S (1997) Covert Observation Increases Skin Conductance in Subjects Unaware of When They Are Being Observed: A Replication, J Parapsychol, 61, 185-194.
  16. Schlitz MM, Radin DD, Malle BF, et al. (2003) Distant Healing Intention: Definitions and Evolving Guidelines for Laboratory Studies, Altern Ther Health Med, 9, A31-A43.
  17. Schmidt S, Schneider R, Utts J, and Walach H (2004) Distant Intentionality and the Feeling of Being Stared At: Two Meta- Analyses, Br J Psychol, 95, 235-247. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712604773952449
  18. Sicher F, Targ, E., Moore, D. and Smith HS (1998) A Randomized Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Distant Healing in a Population with Advanced Aids. Report of a Small Scale Study, West J Med, 169(6), 356-363.
  19. Stapp H (2001) Harnessing Science and Religion : Implication of the New Scientific Conception of Human Beings, Research News, 1, 8.
  20. Strijkstra AM, Beersma DGM, Drayer B, et al. (2003) Subjective Sleepiness Correlates Negatively with Global Alpha (8-12 Hz) and Positively with Central Frontal Theta (4-8 Hz) Frequencies in the Human Resting Awake Electroencephalogram, Neurosci Lett, 340, 17-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00033-8
  21. Targ RR, and Katra JJ (2001) The Scientific and Spiritual Implications of Psychic Abilities, Altern Ther Health Med, 7, 143-149.
  22. Thayer J, Hansen A, Saus-Rose E, and Johnsen B (2009) Heart Rate Variability, Prefrontal Neural Function, and Cognitive Performance: The Neurovisceral Integration Perspective on Self-Regulation, Adaptation, and Health, Ann Behav Med, 37, 141-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9101-z
  23. Thompson L, Thompson M, and Reid A (2010) Functional Neuroanatomy and the Rationale for Using Eeg Biofeedback for Clients with Asperger's Syndrome, Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, 35, 39-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-009-9095-0
  24. Yamada F (1998) Frontal Midline Theta Rhythm and Eyeblinking Activity During a Vdt Task and a Video Game: Useful Tools for Psychophysiology in Ergonomics, Ergonomics, 41, 678-688. https://doi.org/10.1080/001401398186847