The Gravitational Pull of the Full Moon to Explain Phenomenon: Superstition or Science

Abstract

Superstitious beliefs are embraced among healthcare providers regardless of the lack of, or inconsistency in, scientific validation. Previous research identified the belief that the presence of a full moon increased the number of births and the number of patients seeking care in an Emergency Department setting for psychiatric concerns. Using a retrospective approach, nine months of medical record data from the Women's Health Department detailing the number of births and nine months of medical record data from the Emergency Department were analyzed. Correlation of births on full moon dates was compared to overall rates, and overall Emergency Department contacts and contacts specifically for psychiatric concerns were compared to rates on non-full moon dates. Analyses failed to identify any statistically significant differences in either clinical scenario during the full moon dates. The use of superstitions, among healthcare professionals, provides a sense of control, which may reduce anxiety. While scientific advantages may not be able to detect a connection between behavioral differences and lunar phases, embracing one's beliefs in superstition may provide a mindfulness approach which is supportive while recognizing that the clinical environment cannot be controlled.