Study on Biomagnetic and Physiological Signals During Reiki Practice in Healthy Volunteers.

This is a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial designed to investigate biomagnetic signal modulations and autonomic regulation during the practice of Reiki.

All experimental procedures were conducted under strictly controlled environmental conditions (temperature stabilized at 23°C and relative humidity at 60%). Volunteers remained in a supine position on a non-metallic examination table throughout the session.

A total of 45 healthy adult participants (aged 18-60 years) were recruited in São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil, and randomized into three parallel groups (n = 15 per group):

* Reiki Group (RG): Certified Reiki practitioners (Level II or higher, with regular active practice) positioned their hands approximately 5 cm above a magnetic sensor centered over the participant's xiphoid process.
* Grounded Sham Group (SG): Certified Reiki practitioners performed the identical hand positioning while wearing stainless steel mesh gloves (AISI 316) connected to an independent external ground rod to drain superficial electrostatic and low-frequency electromagnetic signals.
* Lay Control Group (CG): Lay volunteers without Reiki training positioned their hands mimicking the identical spatial placement and duration.

The protocol lasted 35 minutes per participant, divided into three continuous phases:

1. Pre-intervention baseline (15 minutes): Subject acclimation, autonomic baseline stabilization, and sensor thermal stabilization.
2. Intervention phase (15 minutes): Continuous application of the assigned procedure (Reiki, grounded sham, or lay control).
3. Post-intervention rest phase (5 minutes): Assessment of immediate recovery and potential biomagnetic rebound effects.

In addition to biomagnetic field recording, physiological monitoring encompasses autonomic regulation via heart rate variability (HRV), electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral power, and cutaneous temperature assessed through infrared thermography.

• Reiki Therapy (Other), also known as Reiki Group (RG): Non-contact laying on of hands performed by certified practitioners (Level II or higher) maintaining hands approximately 5 cm above the thoracic region/sensor for 15 minutes.
• Grounded Sham Hand Placement (Other), also known as Grounded Sham Group (SG): Simulated laying on of hands performed by certified Reiki practitioners wearing stainless steel mesh gloves connected to an independent external ground rod for 15 minutes.
• Mock Hand Placement (Other), also known as Lay Control Group (CG): Simulated laying on of hands performed by untrained lay volunteers mimicking identical physical hand positions and duration (15 minutes).

Primary outcomes

• Biomagnetic Signal Intensity Modulation Proximate to the Xiphoid Process [Baseline (15 minutes), during intervention (15 minutes), and post-intervention (5 minutes)]: Modulation of biomagnetic signal intensity proximate to the xiphoid process recorded by the magnetic sensor across baseline, intervention, and post-intervention rebound phases, compared across the Reiki, grounded sham, and lay control groups.

Secondary outcomes

• Autonomic Nervous System Modulation via Heart Rate Variability (HRV) [Baseline (15 minutes), during intervention (15 minutes), and post-intervention (5 minutes)]: Time-domain (SDNN, RMSSD) and frequency-domain (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) parameters of heart rate variability measured to evaluate autonomic sympathovagal balance.
• Cortical Brainwave Spectral Power via Electroencephalography (EEG) [Baseline (15 minutes), during intervention (15 minutes), and post-intervention (5 minutes)]: Spectral power density across brainwave frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma) assessed to monitor cortical state changes during the protocol.
• Cutaneous Surface Temperature via Infrared Thermography [Baseline (15 minutes), during intervention (15 minutes), and post-intervention (5 minutes)]: Cutaneous facial and hand temperature variations evaluated by thermal imaging to assess microcirculatory and peripheral autonomic responses.

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 60 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy adult volunteers aged between 18 and 60 years.
* Ability to remain in a calm, supine position on the examination table for approximately 40 minutes.
* Provision of written informed consent prior to study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of implanted electronic medical devices (such as cardiac pacemakers, neurostimulators, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators).
* Presence of ferromagnetic metallic implants in the thoracic or torso region.
* Use of pharmacological agents that directly modulate autonomic nervous system function, heart rate variability, or cortical electrophysiology (e.g., beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, psychotropics).
* History of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias, neurological disorders, or active cardiovascular diseases.
* Current pregnancy.
* Ingestion of caffeine, alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, or tobacco within 12 hours prior to experimental data collection.
* Engagement in strenuous physical exercise within 24 hours prior to data collection.

• Renato Amaro Zângaro, PHD, Principal investigator, Anhembi Morumbi University