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Measuring Energy Work Effectively in Massage Therapy Research

Have you thought about whole system research (WSR) in massage therapy?  Whole system research attempts to measure all the effects of a massage therapy session; including energy work. This is exciting scientific research that is inclusive and collaborative.

Go here for a Wikipedia explanation of WSR.

Every once in a while, I'll copy a WSR abstract for your review and include an attachment to the whole study as they become available and I become aware of them. Please feel free to do the same.

Here is an abstract of a current investigation to measure the effects of energy work in a MT session (you may recognize a couple of the authors).

Main objectives:

1.       Evaluate the physical, psychological and emotional effects of MT using traditional paper based measures.

2.       Evaluation of the whole-person effects of MT using GDV electro-photography.

3.       Evaluate the correlation between the paper based and GDV electro-photographic outcomes.

Title: Evaluating the use of electro-photography for measuring whole-person changes associated with massage therapy

 

Authors: Jolie Haun, PhD, LMT; Gary Schwartz, PhD; Mark E. Boccuzzi

 

ABSTRACT

 

Background: Research has demonstrated the effects of massage therapy using both physiological and psychological measures. However, little research has adequately demonstrated the whole-person energetic effects of massage therapy, often seen by massage therapists in practice. Purpose: This research was designed to evaluate the whole-person energetic effects of massage therapy using electro-photography, Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV). The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the physical, psychological and emotional effects of massage therapy using traditional paper-based measures; (2) conduct an evaluation of the whole-person effects of massage therapy using GDV electro-photography; and (3) to evaluate the correlation between the paper-based and GDV electro-photographic outcome measures. Significance: The findings of this study can identify the feasibility and validity of measuring whole-person energetic effects of massage therapy using advanced innovative GDV electro-photography data. Findings can also replicate the physical, mental, and integrative outcomes of massage therapy treatment found in previous research. Methods: Four licensed massage therapists provided a treatment group of 24 healthy volunteer participants with a single massage therapy treatment. Massage therapy treatments included a 50-minute full body relaxation massage. Each participant provided paper-based data four times, before and after providing GDV electro-photography imaging data which was conducted pre- and post massage treatment session. Standardized paper-based measures included visual analogue pain, muscle tension, and stress scales; and the Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale, a visual analogue assessment with six scales including, overall wellbeing, physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual wellbeing. Findings: Data collection was completed July 4, 2009. Preliminary data analysis suggests differences between pre- and post- massage session for the massage therapy treatment group. Data is currently being analyzed; statistical findings are forthcoming and will be prepared for presentation.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Goral on February 5, 2010 at 6:10pm
baah!! I just had a whole lengthy response and my computer ate it :( Ok, I'm going to try again..

Thank you Robin for posting this, I think it is interesting. However, I have several questions for clarification.

1. What is GDV electro-photography? I've never heard of that before
2. I am familiar with the VAS, but not the muscle tension paper test or the stress scales, though the latter sounds fairly straight forward. Could you explain those, just so I'm on the same page with you? And I'm assuming there will be others who are also not exactly sure what those are.
3. Was there a control group? Or is that the point of WSR, to not have a control group? I forget..I'll check out the wikipedia link in a minute.
4. Do you think 1 session was enough to gather reliable and valid data? What about extraneous and/or confounding variables that could have affected the results on that day? Bad day, not feeling well, etc. Also, what if the results for some people were a fluke that day, and if you tested multiple days you would get significantly different results?
5. The epic question from the last energy work thread- what was this study's definition of "energy work"?

Thanks :)
Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on February 5, 2010 at 8:29pm
Good questions Kim; I’m looking forward to reading the study for answers myself; when it comes out. This abstract was on a list sent to me today, “News from the Massage Therapy Foundation”, of posters submitted at the AMTA convention. I e-mailed the author and she said it’s a pilot study meant to test the equipment effects; so no control group until they do a bigger trial. She mentioned the manuscript will be ready soon and that she will be at the Seattle conference.

You can find more info on GDV electro-photography here. I've only heard of it.

Whole System Research could have a control group depending on the design of the study; for example if they included a RCT. The link I submitted above explains it fairly well.

Kim Goral said:
baah!! I just had a whole lengthy response and my computer ate it :( Ok, I'm going to try again..

Thank you Robin for posting this, I think it is interesting. However, I have several questions for clarification.

1. What is GDV electro-photography? I've never heard of that before
2. I am familiar with the VAS, but not the muscle tension paper test or the stress scales, though the latter sounds fairly straight forward. Could you explain those, just so I'm on the same page with you? And I'm assuming there will be others who are also not exactly sure what those are.
3. Was there a control group? Or is that the point of WSR, to not have a control group? I forget..I'll check out the wikipedia link in a minute.
4. Do you think 1 session was enough to gather reliable and valid data? What about extraneous and/or confounding variables that could have affected the results on that day? Bad day, not feeling well, etc. Also, what if the results for some people were a fluke that day, and if you tested multiple days you would get significantly different results?
5. The epic question from the last energy work thread- what was this study's definition of "energy work"?

Thanks :)
Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on February 6, 2010 at 5:15am
I had a feeling that GDV electro-photography was a fancy name for Kirlian, or "aura" photography. I've had one made years ago. I'm lovely shades of purple and green:)

Robin Byler Thomas said:
Good questions Kim; I’m looking forward to reading the study for answers myself; when it comes out. This abstract was on a list sent to me today, “News from the Massage Therapy Foundation”, of posters submitted at the AMTA convention. I e-mailed the author and she said it’s a pilot study meant to test the equipment effects; so no control group until they do a bigger trial. She mentioned the manuscript will be ready soon and that she will be at the Seattle conference.

You can find more info on GDV electro-photography here. I've only heard of it.

Whole System Research could have a control group depending on the design of the study; for example if they included a RCT. The link I submitted above explains it fairly well.

Kim Goral said:
baah!! I just had a whole lengthy response and my computer ate it :( Ok, I'm going to try again..

Thank you Robin for posting this, I think it is interesting. However, I have several questions for clarification.

1. What is GDV electro-photography? I've never heard of that before
2. I am familiar with the VAS, but not the muscle tension paper test or the stress scales, though the latter sounds fairly straight forward. Could you explain those, just so I'm on the same page with you? And I'm assuming there will be others who are also not exactly sure what those are.
3. Was there a control group? Or is that the point of WSR, to not have a control group? I forget..I'll check out the wikipedia link in a minute.
4. Do you think 1 session was enough to gather reliable and valid data? What about extraneous and/or confounding variables that could have affected the results on that day? Bad day, not feeling well, etc. Also, what if the results for some people were a fluke that day, and if you tested multiple days you would get significantly different results?
5. The epic question from the last energy work thread- what was this study's definition of "energy work"?

Thanks :)
Permalink Reply by Christopher A. Moyer on February 6, 2010 at 5:21am
it’s a pilot study

These kinds of studies always are. :)
Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on February 6, 2010 at 9:50am
Which kind of studies CAM?

Christopher A. Moyer said:
it’s a pilot study

These kinds of studies always are. :)
Permalink Reply by Kim Goral on February 6, 2010 at 1:15pm
Thanks for the clarification, I'll check out that link. Btw I'm sure you've already answered this elsewhere but I forget- will you be in Seattle?? It'd be great to meet you! :)

Robin Byler Thomas said:
Good questions Kim; I’m looking forward to reading the study for answers myself; when it comes out. This abstract was on a list sent to me today, “News from the Massage Therapy Foundation”, of posters submitted at the AMTA convention. I e-mailed the author and she said it’s a pilot study meant to test the equipment effects; so no control group until they do a bigger trial. She mentioned the manuscript will be ready soon and that she will be at the Seattle conference.

You can find more info on GDV electro-photography here. I've only heard of it.

Whole System Research could have a control group depending on the design of the study; for example if they included a RCT. The link I submitted above explains it fairly well.

Kim Goral said:
baah!! I just had a whole lengthy response and my computer ate it :( Ok, I'm going to try again..

Thank you Robin for posting this, I think it is interesting. However, I have several questions for clarification.

1. What is GDV electro-photography? I've never heard of that before
2. I am familiar with the VAS, but not the muscle tension paper test or the stress scales, though the latter sounds fairly straight forward. Could you explain those, just so I'm on the same page with you? And I'm assuming there will be others who are also not exactly sure what those are.
3. Was there a control group? Or is that the point of WSR, to not have a control group? I forget..I'll check out the wikipedia link in a minute.
4. Do you think 1 session was enough to gather reliable and valid data? What about extraneous and/or confounding variables that could have affected the results on that day? Bad day, not feeling well, etc. Also, what if the results for some people were a fluke that day, and if you tested multiple days you would get significantly different results?
5. The epic question from the last energy work thread- what was this study's definition of "energy work"?

Thanks :)
Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on February 6, 2010 at 2:08pm
I'd like to meet you too Kim, but unfortunately can't make the Seattle conference. You might have to track Jolie down for us and get the low down on this study. I can make the 2011 World Massage Festival in NC. The theme is Research and Education if I remember correctly.

Also, for those who don't know, a pilot study is investigatory. When a researcher has an idea they're interested in, and limited funds, they might do a pilot study to test the feasiblity of the question in mind. Go here for more info.

Kim Goral said:
Thanks for the clarification, I'll check out that link. Btw I'm sure you've already answered this elsewhere but I forget- will you be in Seattle?? It'd be great to meet you! :)

Robin Byler Thomas said:
Good questions Kim; I’m looking forward to reading the study for answers myself; when it comes out. This abstract was on a list sent to me today, “News from the Massage Therapy Foundation”, of posters submitted at the AMTA convention. I e-mailed the author and she said it’s a pilot study meant to test the equipment effects; so no control group until they do a bigger trial. She mentioned the manuscript will be ready soon and that she will be at the Seattle conference.

You can find more info on GDV electro-photography here. I've only heard of it.

Whole System Research could have a control group depending on the design of the study; for example if they included a RCT. The link I submitted above explains it fairly well.

Kim Goral said:
baah!! I just had a whole lengthy response and my computer ate it :( Ok, I'm going to try again..

Thank you Robin for posting this, I think it is interesting. However, I have several questions for clarification.

1. What is GDV electro-photography? I've never heard of that before
2. I am familiar with the VAS, but not the muscle tension paper test or the stress scales, though the latter sounds fairly straight forward. Could you explain those, just so I'm on the same page with you? And I'm assuming there will be others who are also not exactly sure what those are.
3. Was there a control group? Or is that the point of WSR, to not have a control group? I forget..I'll check out the wikipedia link in a minute.
4. Do you think 1 session was enough to gather reliable and valid data? What about extraneous and/or confounding variables that could have affected the results on that day? Bad day, not feeling well, etc. Also, what if the results for some people were a fluke that day, and if you tested multiple days you would get significantly different results?
5. The epic question from the last energy work thread- what was this study's definition of "energy work"?

Thanks :)
Permalink Reply by Kim Goral on February 6, 2010 at 4:19pm
When you said the 2011 WMF theme is research and education I got excited and went to the website to check it out. But after reading all of the instructor bio's and classes that they are teaching, there is a serious lack of anyone who conducts or will be teaching anything about research- I couldn't find 1 thing! So I'm confused....Is that the complete instructor list or will more be added? I realize it's more than a year away but it looks like they already have a lot of instructors booked..Sorry, I realize this is going a bit off topic!

Robin Byler Thomas said:
I'd like to meet you too Kim, but unfortunately can't make the Seattle conference. You might have to track Jolie down for us and get the low down on this study. I can make the 2011 World Massage Festival in NC. The theme is Research and Education if I remember correctly.

Also, for those who don't know, a pilot study is investigatory. When a researcher has an idea they're interested in, and limited funds, they might do a pilot study to test the feasiblity of the question in mind. Go here for more info.

Kim Goral said:
Thanks for the clarification, I'll check out that link. Btw I'm sure you've already answered this elsewhere but I forget- will you be in Seattle?? It'd be great to meet you! :)

Robin Byler Thomas said:
Good questions Kim; I’m looking forward to reading the study for answers myself; when it comes out. This abstract was on a list sent to me today, “News from the Massage Therapy Foundation”, of posters submitted at the AMTA convention. I e-mailed the author and she said it’s a pilot study meant to test the equipment effects; so no control group until they do a bigger trial. She mentioned the manuscript will be ready soon and that she will be at the Seattle conference.

You can find more info on GDV electro-photography here. I've only heard of it.

Whole System Research could have a control group depending on the design of the study; for example if they included a RCT. The link I submitted above explains it fairly well.

Kim Goral said:
baah!! I just had a whole lengthy response and my computer ate it :( Ok, I'm going to try again..

Thank you Robin for posting this, I think it is interesting. However, I have several questions for clarification.

1. What is GDV electro-photography? I've never heard of that before
2. I am familiar with the VAS, but not the muscle tension paper test or the stress scales, though the latter sounds fairly straight forward. Could you explain those, just so I'm on the same page with you? And I'm assuming there will be others who are also not exactly sure what those are.
3. Was there a control group? Or is that the point of WSR, to not have a control group? I forget..I'll check out the wikipedia link in a minute.
4. Do you think 1 session was enough to gather reliable and valid data? What about extraneous and/or confounding variables that could have affected the results on that day? Bad day, not feeling well, etc. Also, what if the results for some people were a fluke that day, and if you tested multiple days you would get significantly different results?
5. The epic question from the last energy work thread- what was this study's definition of "energy work"?

Thanks :)
Permalink Reply by Christopher A. Moyer on February 6, 2010 at 4:21pm
I'd like to meet you too Kim, but unfortunately can't make the Seattle conference. You might have to track Jolie down for us and get the low down on this study.

Sorry to hear you can't be in Seattle - it'd be great to chat in person. Sometime.

And yes, perhaps Kim or I will see Jolie Haun in Seattle. I've had the opportunity to talk with her about a prior research project via email and enjoyed the experience.
Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on February 6, 2010 at 4:33pm
Hi Robin,

You may find some of these useful. http://www.massagetherapyfoundation.org/postersession.html
Permalink Reply by Christopher A. Moyer on February 6, 2010 at 4:38pm
Which kind of studies CAM?

Studies of extremely unlikely or impossible phenomena.

I've noticed that the more unlikely the phenomenon under investigation, the more likely the researchers are to approach it with a 'pilot study.' Essentially, this inflates Type I error, the likelihood that one will have a false positive finding. If the pilot study gets the hoped-for result, you've got your finding; if it doesn't, well, you just point to the fact that it was only a pilot study and trumpet the need for 'more research.'

That's my general position on pilot studies.
Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on February 6, 2010 at 6:04pm
The History Channel (History.Com) just had a special on Vampires and how the Kirlian, or "aura" photography proved actual body auras and how "psychic vampires" attack and steal a victims energy. It was great!

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