Outcomes of Preregistered Studies Related to Extra-Sensory Perception, and Mind-Matter Interaction: A Systematic Review

This review systematically examined preregistered studies on extrasensory perception (ESP) and mind-matter interaction (micropsychokinesis; i.e., micro-PK) available through October 2026. The primary aims were to evaluate their outcomes and compare the percentage of positive findings with those observed in mainstream psychology. We followed the PRISMA Guidelines. We searched major preregistration repositories, including the Open Science Framework and the Koestler Parapsychology Unit (KPU) Study Registry, and relevant meta-analyses. Inclusion criteria focused on completed studies with available preregistration and final results only for confirmatory hypotheses. A positive outcome was defined as the support of at least one confirmatory hypothesis, strictly following preregistered procedures and statistics without deviation. A total of 50 studies with a total of 60 experiments, met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 17 experiments (28.3%) reported a positive outcome, and 20 confirmatory hypotheses out of 97 (20.6%) were positive.Interestingly, and contrary to some expectations, a broader comparison indicated that preregistered studies concerning ESP and PK did not necessarily exhibit a much lower proportion of confirmed hypotheses when compared with results for preregistered studies in mainstream psychology.

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Publication Details

Published
2026-10-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/ha4np_v4
Primary Topic
Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
Type
preprint
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Outcomes of Preregistered Studies Related to Extra-Sensory Perception, and Mind-Matter Interaction: A Systematic Review

Patrizio Emmanuele Tressoldi, Lance Storm
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Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
preprint

Outcomes of Preregistered Studies Related to Extra-Sensory Perception, and Mind-Matter Interaction: A Systematic Review

Patrizio Emmanuele Tressoldi, Lance Storm
preprint en

Abstract

This review systematically examined preregistered studies on extrasensory perception (ESP) and mind-matter interaction (micropsychokinesis; i.e., micro-PK) available through October 2026. The primary aims were to evaluate their outcomes and compare the percentage of positive findings with those observed in mainstream psychology. We followed the PRISMA Guidelines. We searched major preregistration repositories, including the Open Science Framework and the Koestler Parapsychology Unit (KPU) Study Registry, and relevant meta-analyses. Inclusion criteria focused on completed studies with available preregistration and final results only for confirmatory hypotheses. A positive outcome was defined as the support of at least one confirmatory hypothesis, strictly following preregistered procedures and statistics without deviation. A total of 50 studies with a total of 60 experiments, met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 17 experiments (28.3%) reported a positive outcome, and 20 confirmatory hypotheses out of 97 (20.6%) were positive.Interestingly, and contrary to some expectations, a broader comparison indicated that preregistered studies concerning ESP and PK did not necessarily exhibit a much lower proportion of confirmed hypotheses when compared with results for preregistered studies in mainstream psychology.

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