Preliminary Measurement of Electromagnetic Fields and Microdischarges From the Human Body.

Alternative therapies in health and medicine · 2016 · Unclear · Very low evidence

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UnclearVery low evidencePaper 4885

Study snapshot

PublicationAlternative therapies in health and medicine · 2016

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

CONTEXT: From 1978-1999, a large number of experts and scholars in China tested and analyzed the external qi of qigong (ie, the electrical signals [ES] released from human practitioners). Development of negatives from some tests had revealed the existence of speckles on the films. In 1998, the current research team analyzed some of the negatives that had been exposed to the ES. OBJECTIVE: The current research team intended to test for the presence of ES in qigong using the dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) method. DESIGN: The study design involved 2 measurements: electromagnetic test of a open, placebo-controlled methodology and an optical test of single-blinded open, placebo-controlled methodology. SETTING: The study occurred in Taiyuan, Suzhou, and Shenzhen (China) as well as in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 10 qigong masters and practitioners and 5 nonpractitioners from 4 cities. INTERVENTION: In the ES test, the practitioners released ES and the nonpractitioners simulated the release of ES, using 2 channels. Any ambient disturbance was recorded on both channels. For the photo file, the practitioner or nonpractitioner could press his or her palm onto 1 envelope that contained film or could hold his or her palm a certain distance (5-30 cm) above the envelope to release ES or simulate its release, respectively. OUTCOME MEASURES: An oscilloscope, current probes, and photo negatives were used to acquire >50,000 images. A type of discharged electromagnetic field (EMF), with a frequency of approximately 0.3-200 MHz, was recorded. RESULTS: The microdischarge pulses were positive, with a pulse width from 2-100 ns and with a total charge of approximately 0.001-0.2 nC. Many speckles could also be clearly seen in the photo negatives. Within the context of DBD theory, the speckles could be individual footprints of a barrier discharge for which the human skin acts as a barrier layer. Thus, the study measured reproducible field energy or an EMF and microdischarges. CONCLUSIONS: ES were measured; then EMFs with a frequency of approximately 0.3-200 MHz and microdischarge pulses were recorded. Within the context of DBD theory, those results suggest that the microdischarge may act as a barrier discharge to which the human skin forms a barrier layer.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

Population10 qigong masters/practitioners and 5 nonpractitioners

Sample size15

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using dielectric-barrier discharge methods, the study reports recording a discharged electromagnetic field with frequency approximately 0.3–200 MHz and positive microdischarge pulses (2–100 ns; total charge ~0.001–0.2 nC). Speckles were observed on photo negatives and interpreted within DBD theory as possible footprints of barrier discharge with skin acting as a barrier layer.

Outcomes measured

Recorded electromagnetic field (frequency approximately 0.3–200 MHz)
Microdischarge pulse characteristics (polarity, pulse width, total charge)
Speckles on photo negatives/images as possible discharge footprints

Limitations

Preliminary study
Open, placebo-controlled methodology (not fully blinded)
Small sample size (15 participants)
Frequency reported as a range; no single central frequency value provided
No health outcomes assessed (measurement-focused)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "human body (qigong practitioners; dielectric-barrier discharge measurement)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "10 qigong masters/practitioners and 5 nonpractitioners",
  "sample_size": 15,
  "outcomes": [
    "Recorded electromagnetic field (frequency approximately 0.3–200 MHz)",
    "Microdischarge pulse characteristics (polarity, pulse width, total charge)",
    "Speckles on photo negatives/images as possible discharge footprints"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using dielectric-barrier discharge methods, the study reports recording a discharged electromagnetic field with frequency approximately 0.3–200 MHz and positive microdischarge pulses (2–100 ns; total charge ~0.001–0.2 nC). Speckles were observed on photo negatives and interpreted within DBD theory as possible footprints of barrier discharge with skin acting as a barrier layer.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Preliminary study",
    "Open, placebo-controlled methodology (not fully blinded)",
    "Small sample size (15 participants)",
    "Frequency reported as a range; no single central frequency value provided",
    "No health outcomes assessed (measurement-focused)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "dielectric-barrier discharge",
    "DBD",
    "qigong",
    "external qi",
    "electrical signals",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "microdischarges",
    "photo negatives",
    "oscilloscope",
    "current probes",
    "0.3-200 MHz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 26773318

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