Effectiveness of Distant/Remote Blessing Treatment on Cognitive-motor Function: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial

Abstract

# Background Biofield therapies can be administered in person (hands-on treatment) or remotely, and this study focuses on the latter. A literature review did not find any reports on the effectiveness of remote biofield energy /blessing therapy in enhancing cognition and motor function performance in adults. # Objective The aim of this study was to examine the effect of distant/remote blessing (biofield energy) therapy on the cognitive and motor functions in adults with self-reported neuropsychological impairments using NIH Toolbox^®^. # Methods The present study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 117 participants with self-reported neuropsychological impairments. These participants were stratified into three distinct groups: control, sham control, and blessing/biofield treatment as the intervention. At baseline (day 0), day 90, and day 180, NIH Toolbox^®^ was employed to evaluate all participants' cognitive and motor function scores. # Results In the blessing treatment group, language function score (*p* \<0.01), working memory (*p* \<0.0001), and episodic memory (*p* \<0.0001) scores exhibited statistically significant differences compared to both the naïve control and sham control groups. Moreover, in the blessing intervention group, a substantial improvement was observed in locomotion (*p* \<0.0001), standing balance (*p* \<0.01), dexterity (*p* \<0.01), grip strength (*p* \<0.05), and muscle endurance (*p* \<0.05) compared to the naïve control and sham control groups. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported during the study period. # Conclusion The study outcomes revealed that distant/remote blessing/biofield energy therapy is safe, non-invasive, and less expensive. It enhances cognitive-motor functions in adults with perceived neuropsychological impairments. # Clinical Trial Registration CTRI/2022/07/043736.