About the Evidence Map

The Biofield Science Evidence Map is an innovative endeavor in integrative health to systematically categorize, catalog and visually present all existing peer-reviewed clinical studies on biofield therapies. With its accompanying scoping review publication: Biofield Therapies Clinical Research Landscape: A Scoping Review and Interactive Evidence Map, the Evidence Map is designed to improve the accessibility and usefulness of scientific evidence pertaining to biofield therapies for a diverse range of stakeholders.

The current version of this Evidence Map is up to date as of January 4, 2024. The map includes 352 publications reporting on clinical trials (randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and pre-post studies), as identified through the scoping review process. Future updates to this Evidence Map will include all study designs and populations. To learn about the specific methodological process used to identify and characterize articles included in this evidence map, see the scoping review publication here or visit the Methodology section of this site.

The Biofield Science Evidence Map and underlying scoping review are public resources made possible by the philanthropic support of members of the Subtle Energy Funders Collective.

The Need for a Biofield Science Evidence Map

Subtle energy and biofield healing modalities have been used for millennia for an array of health conditions and to enhance human well-being. However, the scientific study and adoption of subtle energy and biofield therapies in Western culture have been hindered by challenges such as cultural barriers and institutional obstacles. Furthermore, the research landscape for biofield therapies is poorly understood.

To advance understanding and evidence-based adoption of biofield therapies, more rigorous, targeted research is needed for scientific validation, including both exploratory and confirmatory studies. Educational efforts are also essential for raising awareness among the public, health systems, and research institutions about the existing evidence supporting the adoption of these therapies and the current state of the science. The purpose of this interactive Evidence Map is to provide a readily-accessible, comprehensive, and targeted view of the existing evidence base, as well as gaps in the evidence. In so doing, the Evidence Map aims to support researchers, practitioners, healthcare systems, policy-makers, funders and the public in decision-making and engagement.

What Is a Scoping Review and an Evidence Map?

A scoping review is a robust and systematic methodology that aims to identify all scientific literature published in a specific research area, detailing the extent, range, and characteristics of the studies in a given field. The purpose of a scoping review is to explore the research landscape and address questions like "what exists?", unlike systematic reviews which aim to answer specific clinical questions such as "is it effective?" to inform clinical practice decisions. To learn more about the difference between scoping reviews and systematic reviews, see here.

An evidence map provides a comprehensive visual representation of the results of the scoping review to help researchers and other stakeholders better understand and communicate the available literature, the knowledge gaps, and the potential areas for future research. Our evidence map is designed to be visual, interactive, and useful for a variety of different stakeholders, to query the cataloged evidence, and explore what exists.

How Might I Interact with this Evidence Map?

A Researcher may use the Biofield Science Evidence Map to inquire about existing evidence related to specific populations, conditions, therapies, and/or outcomes. This exploration can help to identify current knowledge and potential research gaps, guiding the identification of new research opportunities or the formulation of targeted research questions based on the existing scientific landscape.

A Practitioner may use the Biofield Science Evidence Map to inquire about existing scientific evidence supporting use for specific health conditions and outcomes. This query can guide the identification of approaches that could be considered for integration into patient care based on the available evidence.

A Consumer or Patient may use the Biofield Science Evidence Map to explore the evidence base and determine which specific biofield therapies are worth integrating into their care routine to address a particular condition or concern.

We welcome your suggestions for improvements or corrections to this Evidence Map. Please contact us via [email protected].