Project ARC Study Details
- An abundance of studies provides confidence in supporting this study; and it's thrilling to know we're pioneering an accidental breakthrough like so many that have profoundly improved our world!
- The study will compare results in subjects engaged in Conventional Rehab (CR) vs. those also integrating different combinations of Acupuncture, Tui Na, and ARC as detailed below.
- The goal is to see how ARC performs compared to Acupuncture using the same acupoints, as well as their respective efficacy when combined with Tui Na verses without.
- An example of a very similar study showing significant results for 76 ischemic stroke patients comparing standard rehab to combining Acupuncture, Tui Na, and other TCM methods with standard rehab can be reviewed here.
- This 2014 study by the Penny George Institute on over 6,500 cardiovascular inpatients shows improved outcomes integrating Acupuncture, Acupressure, Bodywork, and other Integrative Medicine (IM) techniques individually verse different combinations of IM therapies with standard treatments; and discusses previous related studies.
- A critical factor not addressed by that study however was whether subject expectations and previous experience with IM therapies, as well as being given the choice as to which IM therapies they could utilize, influenced subjective perception in changes in anxiety and pain as well as placebo effect. It's been long-established that Anxiety and Pain-Perception are highly influenced by patient expectations.
- A critial difference in my study is our observing non-subjective measurements such as motor control and aphasia, as well as subjective measurements like pain, anxiety, and depression.
- We'll also compare outcomes for subjects with and without prior experience with Jin Shin, Tui Na, or Acupuncture. While awareness from reports of significant improvements from using these methods may influence subjective results (placebo), acupuncture has been proven effective not because of placebo.
- Regardless, the ultimate objective of this study is to determine how effective these therapies are compared independently and in combinations when integrated with standard rehab verses standard rehab without these therapies.
- Another critical feature of my study is observing if caregivers who previously received Jin Shin, Massage, and/or Tui Na, and/or practiced Qigong, Tai Chi, Meditation, and Psychedelics* influence results compared to professional practitioners thereof and how results are influenced by Caregivers who do not receive ARC or Tui Na compared to those who receive only ARC verses those who receive ARC and Tui Na. Review this page for details on the significance of these factors.
- * Psychedelics are known to heighten sensitivity to Qi as also experienced by many who regularly practice meditation and Qigong.
- These factors are critical to my study since, if it shows caregivers without prior experience in these methods can produce significant results for patients simply following basic instructions, this protocol can be made accessible to caregivers at minimal cost and utilized after 10 minutes of written instruction.
- This study will consider subjective experiences of administering and receiving the protocol against measurable outcomes such as cognitive and motor improvement, and biological measurements.
- Overwhelming accounts in the Jin Shin community suggest that anyone without such prior experiences or training can produce significant results by following basic instructions. Examples of this are given in the book, The Touch of Healing, by Alice Burmeister and Tom Monte.
- The aforementioned study by the Penny George Institute provides strong evidence to expect that all subjects in my study will get significant results. While some control groups may not get optimal results, they will have the opportunity at the end of the trial to get the most effective protocol determined by the study.
- I am currently seeking a Neuroscience PhD candidate or post-graduate to collaborate on my study to ensure proper guidelines are followed with respect to the study's design, as well as helping me frame our ensuing paper in terms Western Medical Researchers will appreciate and peer-reviewed journals will publish.
Experiment Design
Lifestyle data and symptom measurements will be recorded. Results will be compared between a minimum of 128 subjects for each condition (ie. Stroke, MS, Bipolar, Diabetes, etc.) and validated by their respective doctors. At least 2 subjects with identical factors and 2 with different factors will be assigned to 8 Experiment Plans under 8 Experiment Groups. Caregivers will receive instructions. The results their patients get will be compared to Caregivers who recieve the protocol from a "Care Partner".
Factors
* Cause of Condition
* Time Since Condition Onset
* Age at Condition Onset
* Symptom(s) Duration and Severity
* Comorbidities
* Lifestyle (Diet, Exercise, etc.)
* Adverse Life Experiences
* Sex
* Race & Ethnicity
* Career & Income
* Career & Income
Experiment Groups
Group A: Caregivers with no prior experience of Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Tui Na, or ARC do not receive ARC or Tui Na.
Group B: Caregivers with no prior experience of Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Tui Na, or ARC receive only ARC.
Group C: Caregivers with no prior experience of Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Tui Na, or ARC receive ARC and Tui Na.
Group D: Caregivers with prior experience of Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Tui Na, or ARC do not receive ARC or Tui Na.
Group E: Caregivers with prior experience of Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Tui Na, or ARC receive only ARC.
Group F: Caregivers with prior experience of Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Tui Na, or ARC receive ARC and Tui Na.
Group G: Acupuncture is administered by a Licensed Acupuncturist without Tui Na.
Group H: Acupuncture is administered by a Licensed Acupuncturist with Tui Na.
Experiment Plans
Groups A - F administer:
1) Experimental ARC
2) Sham ARC
3) Tui Na + Experimental ARC
4) Tui Na + Sham ARC
2) Sham ARC
3) Tui Na + Experimental ARC
4) Tui Na + Sham ARC
Group G - H administer:
1) Experimental Acupuncture
2) Sham Acupuncture
3) Tui Na + Experimental Acupuncture
4) Tui Na + Sham Acupuncture
2) Sham Acupuncture
3) Tui Na + Experimental Acupuncture
4) Tui Na + Sham Acupuncture