Embodied Inter-Hand Sensory Experiences (“Prana” Perception): A Randomized Controlled Trial of Affective, Environmental, and Physiological Correlates

BACKGROUND: Contemplative traditions describe inter-hand sensations as "prana," yet these remain underexplored experimentally. This study examined whether a structured embodied attention practice elicits higher reproducible inter-hand sensory experiences and investigated their associations with affective state, environmental context, and physiological parameters in healthy individuals. METHODS: In this participant-blinded randomized controlled trial, 107 healthy young adults (mean age 20.7 ± 1.3 years) were allocated to either an embodied attention intervention derived from pranic healing practices or a structurally matched sham condition across four standardized sessions. Intensity and spatial extent of perceived inter-hand sensations, mood introspection, nature connectedness, and physiological parameters were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including linear mixed-effects models, correlation and regression analyses, and qualitative content analysis of participant-reported experiences. RESULTS: Intervention group reported significantly higher inter-hand sensory intensity across sessions (p ≤ 0.05) and greater spatial extent in three sessions (p ≤ 0.05). Sensory measures showed large treatment effects (ηp² = .145-.155) and good internal consistency (α = .74-.81). Both groups indicating increased calmness. A small but significant decrease in forehead temperature was observed post-intervention (p ≤ 0.001). Hierarchical regression showed positive affect (β = 0.37, p = 0.005) and nature connectedness (β = 0.26, p = 0.043) predicted perceived sensory intensity, explaining 21% variance. Qualitative findings revealed recurring sensations like attraction, pressure, and vibration, more frequent in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Focused embodied attention practice in pranic healing consistently enhanced inter-hand sensory intensity and spatial extent, accompanied by mild forehead temperature reduction. Mood state and nature connectedness influenced these experiences, suggesting interactions among attentional, interoceptive, affective, and psychophysiological processes.