Project Activity (Third Year)

• Study on Analyzing Methods of Human Body Functions Using Various Simultaneous Measurements (VSM)

  by Bio-Emission Group

Results of the Third Year of the 5-Year-Project of Science and Technology Agency of Japan

We have been doing many experiments including below themes in the third year.

1. A Study with Various Simultaneous Measurements (VSM) on Physiological States Emitting Qi during Qigong
2. Development of Measuring System for nT-order Magnetic Field Caused by Human Hands
3. Annual Changes in EEG on Qigong Trainees
4. EEG Change in Anomalous Perception Task Related to Somatic Sensation - Part II -
5. Basic Temperature Distribution of the Hand Surface - Categorization with 2-Dimensional Patterns -
6. Contemporary Active Research Groups in Japan for Anomalous Phenomena

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Researches in the Third Year

1. A Study with Various Simultaneous Measurements (VSM) on Physiological States Emitting Qi during Qigong 1)

The project [Study on Analyzing Methods of Human Body Functions Using Various Simultaneous Measurements (VSM)] was started in the Bio-Emission Lab., Div. Of Radiation Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), Science and Technology Agency (STA) of the Japanese Government. VSM systems were used to measure the physiological state emitting qi during qigong. Results from separately analyzing each meas-urement item of RSP (ReSPiration), PPG (PhotoPlethysmoGram), GSR (Galvanic Skin Response), EEG (ElectroEncephaloGram), showed periods of RSP and PPG lengthened, the GSR value increased and a peak appeared, and when alpha wave amplitude increased when emitting qi during qigong as compared to at rest. Moreover, each item was analyzed together, even at the time of emitting qi during qigong, a certain change occurred in the subject. The periods of RSP and PPG became short. GSR decreased. The alpha wave amplitude decreased. This was the result of the whole human body having a synchronization. The difference between emitting qi during qigong and at rest, and moreover the change while emitting qi during qigong, were measured.

2. Development of Measuring System for nT-order Magnetic Field Caused by Human Hands 2)

Studies report that some qigong masters or students can generate nT-order to 100nT-order magnetic field under their control. The authors developed a pilot system to measure the magnetic field caused by human hands. The pilot measuring system consists of a small magnetic shielding case (double box type) which shields human hands, magnetometers, amplifiers, a data sampling system and a monitoring system. Geomagnetic field was decreased about 1/1500 in the shielding case. Moreover, for the easy carrying, the magnetic shielding case could be disassembled into some parts and placed in a handling packet. Re-sults of the preliminary test confirmed, for example, that it is easy to detect nT-order mag-netic field not caused by human hands. Next it is necessary to improve the way heat and moisture are removed.

3. Annual Changes in EEG on Qigong Trainees 3)

EEG change were experimentally studied on qigong trainees for two years. The subjects were one Chinese female (training length was 3 years at the first test) and three Chinese males (do. 2 years, and 18 and 17 months). The qigong method was an internal quiet qigong, named Zhen-qi-yun-xing-fa. The occipital alpha wave, as an indicator of relaxation, became large during qigong in the first year, though, the increasing rate was smaller in the second year. The ratio of the alpha amplitude on the frontal region to the occipital region, which is usually large for qigong masters, especially during qigong, did not show any apparent difference between values while resting and during qigong in the first year, although there was some difference with the length of their training period. In the next year, however, the ratio tended to become large during qigong. The alpha frequency became slower in the deep meditation-like state, especially in the second year. The subjects who had very slow alpha waves sometimes showed theta waves around Fz.

4. EEG Change in Anomalous Perception Task Related to Somatic Sensation - Part II - 4)

The analysis results of electroencephalograms (EEGs) on the anomalous perception related to somatic sensation between a qigong master (qi sender) and an ordinary person (qi receiver) in a sensory-shielded state were reported in this journal (Vol. 15, No.1, pp88-96). These EEGs and those of another receiver were divided into two groups, i.e. the receivers perceive the sent qi or they do not. The differences of alphawave mean amplitudes were statistically tested as to two types, whether the qi was actually sent or not. Statistically significant differences are found at vision areas and somatic sensation areas related to the receivers' hands which were used when the receivers perceived sent qi or not, respectively.

5. Basic Temperature Distribution of the Hand Surface - Categorization with 2-Dimensional Patterns - 5)

Our experiences in temperature measurements on the hand surface during relaxation have shown that some persons have high temperatures in the center of their palm and others have high temperatures at their thenar eminence and hypothenar eminence. This paper reports on a relationship between hand temperatures and patterns of 2-dimensional thermal distribution on the hand surface of 81 ordinary persons during relaxation. Sample population showed that females' average temperature was 32.4 degree, and it was 0.6 degree higher than males' one (p<0.01). There was no correlation between age and temperature (r=0.07). Differences in patterns of 2-dimensional distribution show all data can be classified into four groups: 1) high temperature in the middle of the palm; 2) high temperature at both eminences; 3) intermediate type; 4) combination type. Average temperatures differ 2-3 degree for the types, but not for sex in each type. There was a week correlation between age and temperature at the group of high temperature at both eminences (r=0.32), but other groups have no correlation (r<0.2).

6. Contemporary Active Research Groups in Japan for Anomalous Phenomena 6)

There are few English reports dealing with contemporary Japanese research groups for anomalous phenomena. In this paper, the author describes the modern Japanese scene focusing on activities of academic or scientific groups. The most active researchers have experienced a number of social upheavals in their lives. Therefore, the author has taken the historical term "since World War II" and divided it into three parts as marked by two major impacts: the First Impact by Uri Geller and the Second Impact by modern Chinese research. Before these two impacts, psychologists and others were re-constructing and developing Japanese academic activities toward Western parapsychology. After the First Impact, engineers started studies on anomalous phenomena, too. With the Second Impact which is continuing today, researchers from various branches of science are studying qigong, including parapsychological phenomena. In present-day Japan, three academic societies are publishing scientific journals in which peer-reviewed articles appear. These societies have stimulated and activated other groups.

References

1) Sakaida H, Kokubo H, Yamamoto M, Hirasawa M and Kawano K: Journal of International Society of Life Information Science, 16, 29-41, 1998.

2) Kokubo H, Yamamoto M, Hirasawa M, Sakaida H, Furukawa M, Hirata T and Fukuda N: Journal of International Society of Life Information Science, 16, 134-147, 1998.

3) Kawano K, Yamamoto M, Kokubo H, Hirasawa M and Sakaida H: Journal of International Society of Life Information Science, 16, 260-266, 1998.

4) Yamamoto M, Kokado T, Hirasawa M, Kawano K, Kokubo H and Sakaida H:Journal of International Society of Life Information Science, 16, 274-283, 1998.

5) Kokubo H, Hirasawa M, Yamamoto M and Taniguchi J: Journal of International Society of Life Information Science, 16, 247-254, 1998.

6) Kokubo H: Japanese Journal of Parapsychology, 3(1), 19-63, 1998.

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Last Modified: March 6, 2000
Maintained by KOKUBO Hideyuki