Effect of Spiritist "Passe" Energy Therapy in Reducing Anxiety in Volunteers

Background: The use of alternative therapies in medicine has been increasing worldwide. Among these therapies are energy therapies such as Reiki , Johrei, and Spiritist \"passe.\" Experimental studies have confirmed the action of the energy therapies in animal models or in cell cultures. These therapies appear to have positive effects, particularly in the reduction of anxiety and pain. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the \"passe\" energy therapy in reducing anxiety in subjects presenting anxiety symptoms after 8 weeks of study. Methods: The recruited volunteers will be randomized into two groups: the Control Group (application of 8 \"passe\" simulation sessions by people without spiritualist training at the same time and in the same environment as the treatment group) and the Treatment Group (application of 8 sessions of \"passe\" by spiritists with over 2 years of experience in controlled environments for the same period as the control group). The sample will consist of 60 patients selected by interviews with the expectation of a 20% reduction of anxiety in the control group and 60% in the treatment group with alpha of 0.05 and beta of 0.8. Results: Using the STAI scale for evaluation, the reduction in anxiety is expected to be significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group. The investigators expect approximately 20-30% reduction of the anxiety in the control group by the placebo effect. Other objectives to be assessed are quality of life, spirituality, and depression by specific standardized scales (WHOQOL-BREF, DUREL, and BECK).