Methodological imperatives in the scientific investigation of qigong

Data collected during a pilot project sponsored by the Institute of Noetic Sciences indicate that unique challenges face scientists wishing to bridge the ancient healing practice of qigong with modern scientific methodology. Cultured cells isolated from the human body were used in the experiments to address a fundamental question left unanswered by the numerous reports on the healing effects of qigong: 'Is the mind of the patient doing the actual healing?' With the mind of the patient eliminated from the experimental system, a demonstrated effect of qigong expands beyond the realm of psychoneuroimmunology into the realm of distant intentionally. Unique experimental design issues were raised by the cross cultural nature of the experiments.