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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Influence of pranic healing and mindfulness on respiratory function, physical endurance, and well-being: A randomized single-blind study among paramedical students

Vinu Vijayakumar1 ,  Mahesh Pudukudru Anand2 ,  Srikanth Nagaraja Jois1* ,  Sindaghatta Krishnarao Chaya2 ,  Roopa Nanjundaswamy1 ,  Ananthakrishna Srinivasachar Mysore1
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1 Research Centre, World Pranic Healing Foundation India, Mysuru, Karnataka , India
2 Department of Respiratory Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka , India
HPR, 026210102 https://doi.org/10.36922/HPR026210102
Received: 18 May 2026 | Revised: 21 July 2026 | Accepted: 11 August 2026 | Published online: 10 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Connecting Mind to Body: the Psychosomatic Perspective)
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: In pranic healing, a naturopathic biofield (prana) therapy, wellness is achieved by balancing life energy, also known as prana. Studies confirm its effectiveness in lowering rates of depression and anxiety, along with improving sleep quality and functional health.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of mass pranic healing (MPH) on lung function and physical performance among paramedical students and to examine the influence of mindfulness on these outcome measures.

Method: In a four-week randomized controlled trial, 78 paramedical students (mean age 18.86 years) were randomly assigned to the MPH or sham pranic healing (SPH) groups. The study evaluated physical performance using the 1-minute sit-to-stand test, pulmonary function via spirometry, and mindfulness using the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, both before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses included a linear mixed model and repeated measures analysis of variance. The experiences of participants were thematically analyzed.

Results: MPH showed a favorable change in physical performance over time (η2 = 0.12), while SPH showed no change. After adjusting for gender and height, baseline mindfulness significantly moderated treatment-related changes in forced expiratory volume in one second. At high baseline mindfulness (mean + 1 standard deviation), SPH declined by approximately 130 mL while MPH improved by approximately 20 mL, producing a 150 mL between-group difference in change. Qualitative feedback showed that MPH participants reported improved physical and psychological health.

Conclusion: MPH showed favorable changes in physical endurance, MPH, mindfulness levels, and lung function. The study found synergistic benefits of pranic healing and mindfulness in promoting respiratory health, physical vitality, and well-being among paramedical students.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Biofield
Energy medicine
Traditional healing
Holistic health
Mind–body healing
Pranayama
Funding
This study was supported by the World Pranic Healing Foundation, India.
Conflict of interest
The authors (VV, SNJ, RN) are employed with the World Pranic Healing Foundation India Research Centre. However, the funding organization had no role in the design or conduct of the study, data collection, data analysis, interpretation of the results, preparation of the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors declare that they have no financial or personal conflicts of interest that could have influenced the work reported in this manuscript.
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