Is There Any Research on Distant Healing?

Sarah Murphy, LPC, ACP-EFT & John Freedom, CEHP • May 22, 2024

Professor Chris Roe, Dr. Elizabeth Roxburgh and Ms. Charmaine Sonnex at the University of Northampton conducted two meta-analyses of research studies on non-contact healing published in the journal Explore. This study is not new but is worth a new look. It recently came to our attention through the Confederation of Healing Organizations. 

The theory

Distant or “noncontact” healing is an ancient form of healing that is garnering new attention in nontraditional circles. Noncontact healing includes approaches like intercessory prayer and Reiki. Researchers wondered if non-contact healing can have a positive effect on the recipient’s wellbeing. They also wanted to account for possible placebo or expectancy effects.

 

The study setup

Researchers performed two meta-analyses of published studies on distant healing. The first group of healing subjects were human, while the second consisted of non-human organisms like plants and cell cultures. Including non-human subjects is useful as they are not subject to placebo or expectancy effects. Researchers included 57 human and 49 non-human target studies in the analyses. They conducted Pearson r correlation analysis to study the effects of these interventions.

 

Study results

Subjects that received healing experienced significant improvement in wellbeing relative to control subjects. The combined effect size was a small but highly significant r=.193.

 

The 57 human studies yielded a small but significant effect size (r=.203). Of these, the 27 studies that met higher quality thresholds had slightly stronger effects (r=.224). The 49 non-human studies (cell clusters, plants, etc.) achieved slightly higher effects (r=.258). Of these, the 22 studies that had higher quality standards had a lower but still significant effect size (r=.115).   

 

Conclusion

Results suggest that subjects in the active treatment condition exhibit a significant improvement in wellbeing relative to control subjects under circumstances that do not seem to be susceptible to placebo and expectancy effects.

 

Why these meta-analyses matter

Many people believe in the power of intercessory prayer, Reiki, and other forms of distant healing. Some do not believe it possible to study subtle phenomena such as healing with scientific methods. Simultaneously many professionals and researchers remain skeptical about distant healing. These meta-analyses add scientific credibility to the efficacy of these increasingly popular techniques.

 

 

Roe, C.A., Sonnex, C. and Roxburgh, E. C. (2015). Two meta-analyses of noncontact healing studies. Explore, 11(1), 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2014.10.001 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830714002043

 

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Authors

Sarah Murphy, LPC, ACP-EFT, is a counselor in private practice and specializes in working with people who have serious illnesses. A student of the Ageless Wisdom, she is dedicated to sharing the Great Invocation.

John Freedom, CEHP, serves as chairman of ACEP’s research committee. He is the author of Heal Yourself with Emotional Freedom Technique.


 

Photo by Marivi Pazos on Unsplash

Energy Psychology Helps Heal Veteran’s Combat Trauma

By Ted Blickwedel, LICSW, MSW, MEd • April 9, 2025
After retiring from the military, I conducted individual and group therapy with combat veterans as a clinical social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the VET Center in Warwick, RI. In my work, I've had many experiences showing the power of energy psychology to help heal trauma . One of these amazing stories occurred during my tenure at the VA. Veteran suffers from PTSD A 70-year old Vietnam Veteran suffered for 45 years from chronic PTSD as a result of life-threatening events he endured and injuries he sustained during combat. Let's call him Joe (not his real name). His symptoms included nightmares and waking up profusely sweating every night since he returned from the war 45 years ago. Joe also had insomnia and anger issues. Conventional therapies and medication were not able to alleviate the adverse impact of his trauma. Unfortunately, Joe's experience is common among a vast number of Veterans receiving treatment for PTSD at the VA. Energy psychology resolves trauma-related symptoms In the first energy psychology session, I introduced Joe to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and explained the process and its efficacy. During the next 6 sessions, he tapped on the EFT meridian points for 2-3 rounds on each combat trauma we addressed. While he tapped, I guided him to verbally release related negative emotions. We did this until he no longer experienced any disturbance associated with these challenging events, as determined by muscle testing. The results were inspiring. At the end of six 50-minute sessions, Joe reported that his nightmares and night sweats completely stopped, and he felt more rested, peaceful, and significantly less anxious. Joe was even able to stop taking most of his anxiety and depression medication. His wife said she noticed a huge positive shift in his demeanor. Lasting results Over the next 3 years, Joe used EFT on his own to clear other developmental traumas and negative core beliefs. During this time, he only had four nightmares during one two-week period, which were triggered by watching a war movie. Afterwards, he did not have any recurrence of PTSD symptoms. Joe felt joy that he did not experience previously, and he was more emotionally open and affectionate with his wife. This heart-warming story shows the power of EFT to heal rapidly and effectively, with results that last. It's why I love using it. Going forward What a difference could be made with Veterans and their families if the VA and Department of Defense (DOD) used energy psychology techniques like these! They would be free of the devastating impact of PTSD, have better relationships and an improved quality of life. Many ACEP members have stories of hope and healing. Let’s share them! When we tell our stories, we can help inspire practitioners to adopt energy psychology methods that are powerfully grounded in effective healingwith long-lasting outcomes. Get trained and make a difference Are you a teacher or school employee? If so, get trained to bring powerful energy psychology techniques to your school by enrolling in ACEP’s free Mind Body Tools for Children training. If you are a clinician or stakeholder wanting to offer energy psychology to your community, enroll in ACEP’s free Emotional First Aid training . If you would like to get trained in using Emotional Freedom Techniques with clients, sign up for ACEP’s online training that begins with EFT Professional Skills 1 . Author Ted Blickwedel, LICSW, MSW, MEd, is an ACEP member and recipient of ACEP's 2021 Special Recognition Award. He is a retired Marine, combat veteran, former VA VET Center counselor, VA whistleblower, and author of Broken Promises: Marine Combat Veteran Turns Whistleblower Exposing Compromised Mental Health Care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Photo by RDNE Stock Project

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