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

This review systematically investigated preregistered studies concerning extra-sensory perception (ESP) and mind-matter interaction (micro psychokinesis, PK). The primary aims were to evaluate their outcomes and compare the percentage of positive findings with those observed in mainstream psychology. Our methodology adhered to 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 46 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 17 studies (36.9%) reported a positive outcome. 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 to results for preregistered studies in mainstream psychology.