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The Tong Ren Healing Method: A Survey Study

Department of Social and Behavioral Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, asullivan{at}vcu.edu

Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN

Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Michael Miovic, MD

Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Tong Ren (TR) is an untested energy healing modality with anecdotally-reported effectiveness for a variety of disorders. Study objective: To describe participant reports of effectiveness and safety. Design: Cross-sectional, anonymous survey. Setting: Weekly group sessions in the Northeast US. Participants: Adults attending group sessions. Measures: Changes in conditions attributed to TR. Results: Response rate 89% (n = 265). Cancer (30.6%), endocrine/autoimmune (17.5%) and musculoskeletal disorders (17.2%) were the most commonly reported conditions. Among respondents who had attended more than one session (n = 216), 30% used superlatives (e.g., ``amazing'') to describe TR's impact, and one-third noted improved quality of life. No adverse effects were described. Anxiety, depression, cancer, and autoimmune disorders appeared to have the greatest treatment responses, with 63.8%, 61.0%, 60.3%, and 58.1% of participants with these conditions reporting substantial improvements. Conclusion: This first study documenting self-reported effects of TR shows subjective benefits and no adverse effects. Further research on this approach is warranted.

Key Words: energy medicine • integrative therapies • CAM • energy healing

This version was published on January 1, 2009

Complementary Health Practice Review, Vol. 14, No. 1, 19-35 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1533210108329265


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