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Élida Mara
Carneiro |
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The
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands is
the
subject
of
research
in a
University
in the
State
of Minas
Gerais
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The
effectiveness
of the
use of
the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands
was
scientifically
proven
after
groups
of
researchers
from the
Federal
University
of the
Triangulo
Mineiro
(UFTM),
in the
city of
Uberaba
(MG),
studied
its
effects
in
groups
of
newborns
and
adults.
The
researcher
and
physiotherapist
Elida
Mara
Carneiro,
Coordinator
of the
Spiritist
Chaplaincy
at the
Clinical
Hospital
of the
Federal
University
of
Triangulo
Mineiro
and a
member
of the
Medical-Spiritist
Association
of
Uberaba
(AME-UBE),
presents
interesting
data
about
the
imposition
of
hands,
now
proven
within
Hospitals,
following
rigors
for
studies,
as shown
in the
following
interview
that she
kindly
granted
us.
How did
the idea
come up
to apply
the
laying
on of
hands in
the
treatment
of
neonates?
Five
years
ago, we
started
the
Spiritist
Chaplaincy
at the
Clinical
Hospital
of the
Federal
University
of the
Triangulo
Mineiro
(UFTM),
which
includes,
among
the
various
activities
and
places
of work,
the
application
of the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands in
the
neonates
of the
Neonatal
and
Pediatric
Intensive
Care
Unit. In
order to
perform
the
research
to
evaluate
the
effects
of the
Spiritist
imposition
of
hands,
we
initially
chose
the
newborns
because
an
earlier
study
was
carried
out with
this
population
and some
members
of the
team
already
had
skills
in the
collection
of
salivary
cortisol.
Subsequently,
we
continued
the
research
inserting
other
populations.
What is
evaluated?
Were
there
any
changes
before,
during
or after
the
laying
on of
hands?
A
double-blind
randomized
clinical
trial
was
performed
in
newborns.
Stress
levels
were
evaluated
through
the
analysis
of
salivary
cortisol,
pain,
physiological
parameters
such as
respiratory
rate,
heart
rate and
peripheral
oxygen
saturation,
before
and
after
the
application
of the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands
when
compared
to the
imposition
of hands
with
intent
to cure
for a
period
of 10
minutes
for
three
consecutive
days.
After
these
interventions,
the
complications
and
length
of stay
of
newborns
in the
hospital
were
recorded.
There
was a
significant
reduction
regarding
the
respiratory
rate and
a
considerable
decrease,
although
not
statistically
significant,
in the
number
of
complications
and
length
of
hospital
stay in
newborns
who
received
the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands
compared
to those
who were
subject
to the
imposition
of hands
with the
intent
to cure.
Was this
study
done
with
adult
patients?
In
adults,
two
studies
have
been
published.
The
first
included
patients
admitted
to the
Medical
Clinic
Infirmary.
The
patients
were
allocated
in three
groups:
the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands,
imposition
of hands
with the
intent
of
healing
and
control,
for 10
minutes,
on three
consecutive
days.
The
psychological
variables
evaluated
were:
anxiety
levels,
depression,
pain
intensity,
perception
of
muscular
tension
and
sense of
well-being,
and as
physiological
parameters:
heart
rate and
peripheral
oxygen
saturation.
Concerning
the
results,
there
was a
significant
reduction
in the
levels
of
anxiety,
depression
and
muscular
tension,
with
consequent
increase
of
sensation
of
well-being
in the
patients
who
received
the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands.
Regarding
the
second
study,
the
sample
comprised
patients
with
hospitalized
cardiovascular
diseases.
It was
observed
in the
group
that
received
the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands a
significant
decrease
in
anxiety
scores
and in
the
perception
of
muscular
tension,
improvement
of the
sense of
well-being
and
increase
in the
peripheral
saturation
of
oxygen,
and in
the
group of
imposition
of hands
with
intention
to cure,
there
was a
significant
reduction
in the
perception
of
muscular
tension
and an
increase
in the
sensation
of
well-being.
However,
the
reduction
of
muscular
tension
and
improvement
of
well-being
were
greater
in the
group
that
received
the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands.
If there
were
changes,
are they
purely
observational
or can
they be
measured
clinically?
The
changes
were
measured
using
validated
instruments
for
Brazil,
the
measurements
of
physiological
parameters
by the
specific
monitors
and the
salivary
cortisol
dosage
in a
reference
laboratory.
It
should
be noted
that in
all
studies,
the
evaluators
were
blind to
the
procedures
patients
received,
i.e.,
the
examiners
who
participated
in the
questionnaires,
in the
salivary
cortisol
collection
and in
the
physiological
variables
did not
know
which
treatment
the
patients
were
receiving
and in
which
group
they
were
allotted.
Were the
results
expected
by the
team of
researchers?
The
research
team
expected
the
results
against
the
hypotheses
of the
studies,
although
not all
the
variables
presented
significant
assumed
differences.
What
about
the
reception
from
colleagues,
health
professionals
and the
hospital's
board of
directors
regarding
the
research?
Several
health
professionals
and
colleagues
expressed
an
interest
in the
results
of the
research.
In
relation
to the
hospital's
board of
directors,
from the
beginning,
we had a
valuable
support
from the
Superintendent
and also
from the
Coordinators
of the
various
sectors
of the
hospital.
Was the
acceptance
also the
same for
the
relatives
of the
patients?
The
acceptance
of the
Spiritist
laying
on of
hands,
during
the
research,
by the
parents
of the
newborns
and
relatives
of the
patients
was
relevant
(89%).
These
results
show the
acceptance
of this
complementary
therapy
by the
majority
of
individuals
eligible
for the
research,
regardless
of
religious
belief.
Is there
any new
project
involving
the
laying
on of
hands
for the
future?
Yes, we
are
working
on a new
study
with the
evaluation
of other
variables.
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