Kazuo UEBABA

Toyama Institute of Health, University of Toyama, Okayama Prefecture

Papers

Total Citations

143

H-Index

About

Kazuo Uebaba is a pioneering researcher in the field of psychoneuroimmunology, with a specialized focus on the scientific validation of traditional Ayurvedic therapies. His major contributions center on the rigorous, reproducible study of Shirodhara—an ancient Ayurvedic treatment involving the continuous dripping of oil on the forehead. To overcome the inherent variability of manual application, Uebaba developed a groundbreaking "healing robot" that delivers computerized, standardized Shirodhara treatments, enabling controlled scientific investigation. His work has demonstrated that this therapy induces measurable psychoneuroimmunologic changes, including anxiolysis and altered states of consciousness. In a landmark 2008 study (65 citations), he assessed these effects using a robotic system in a randomized controlled protocol. Further research (41 citations) explored the enhanced pharmaco-physio-psychologic impact of using lavender essential oil. By bridging traditional medicine and modern technology, Uebaba has established a novel, evidence-based framework for studying mind-body interventions, with his most-cited works collectively garnering over 140 citations. His innovative approach has opened new avenues for understanding how ancient practices can be systematically evaluated and integrated into contemporary healthcare.