Results: The user group appears to be comprised primarily of North American and European men aged 30-60, motivated by health consciousness and curiosity, who learn about the WHM online or by word of mouth. These interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and inductively analyzed by the researcher The interviews were conducted in order to acquire additional, qualitative data regarding general information regarding their condition and experience with the method changes attributions resources limitations helpful aspects of the method problematic aspects of the method and suggestions for improvement. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 16 individuals using an interview schedule based on Elliott's (2008) Client Change Interview Schedule. Results were descriptively analyzed by the researcher. This questionnaire contained questions regarding how respondents found out about the method whether they tried the method motivations or expectations for trying the method duration and frequency of practice positive changes negative changes whether they were suffering from specific complaints/conditions prior to beginning the practice and whether they were willing to participate in follow-up interviews.
Methods: An online questionnaire was created, and circulated on various Facebook-groups, resulting in 241 respondents filling in the questionnaire.
This mixed-methods study aimed to study the characteristics of this group, as well as the reported effects, factors underlying these effects and possible improvements that can be made to the method.
Nevertheless, the method has attracted thousands of practitioners.
#Wim hof method full
Despite a growing body of research surrounding this method, the full scope of the effects of the method are still undocumented. Characteristics of Users and Reported Effects of the Wim Hof Method : A Mixed-Methods Study.īackground: The Wim Hof Method (WHM) consists of a combination of cold-exposure, breathing exercises and yoga postures, designed to offer users a means to gain increased control over the physiology.