Can the Placebo Effect Be Induced?

Purpose:

The placebo effect is defined as the use in a clinical study of an inactive compound with no specific activity, which nevertheless induces a beneficial effect on a part of the population being studied (Benson). But it has come to include a wider range of definitions to include spontaneous healing when there was no evidence that such a healing should have occurred. The purpose of this paper is to consider the possible mechanism of the placebo effect, more specifically called spontaneous healing. It will also consider a system of application of these concepts to patients to assist them to access spontaneous healing.

Review:

There are a number of systems that support the concept of spontaneous healing. 45 studies testing bioenergy therapy have demonstrated positive effects on anxiety, depression and headache pain (Benor). Rubik has espoused the concept of an 'information transfer' through bioenergy therapy to achieve homeostasis. This may occur by resonance of generator's energy field with that of the receiver (Tiller, Schwartz). The directing of intention through prayer for a 'healee' has been found in over 25 studies to effect a positive significant change in the patients' wellbeing, quality of life and survival time (Dossey). Meditation has been shown to have a positive effect on patients' mental outlook, level of anxiety, incidence of depression and immune response (Song, Schwartz). The role of the patient's spiritual beliefs has also been implicated in the success of the patient's outcome (Dossey). It is also influenced by the positive beliefs and expectations on the part of both the patient and of the caregiver, and a by a good relationship between the two parties (Benson). In quantum physics and the current concepts in Systems theory, the concept of locality is now accepted as obsolete and the view of a nonlocal reality now underlies the concept of multiple realities coexisting in 'folded' space with numerous changing contact points (Sieberg, Witten).

Methods:

Non-locality may be the underlying mechanism by which spontaneous healing occurs. This may be the 'carrier wave' unifying the directing of intent by the patient through prayer, the invocation of the immune system through meditation, and the practitioner reestablishing homeostasis through their intent by applying bioenergy to the patient. Concomitant and critical to these techniques simultaneously practiced is the establishment of relationship between the two parties.

Conclusion:

Patients cannot be 'forced' to heal. A multitude of factors as well as those cited including ethnic background, family and social history has a specific effect on each patient's outcome. A combination of these techniques may provide a means for patients to access spontaneous healing where one technique employed alone may not have been sufficient.