There were some fascinating studies done in the US that are similar, using advanced meditation techniques:

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/...ngyur-rinpoche

and:

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/...thieu-ricard-0

the second article also has an interesting take on placebo

I have been at talks by both Mingyur Rinpoche and Matthieu Ricard, they offer some great insights into the way science and eastern thinking converge, and what science is learning by studying some of the effects on the brain of meditation etc........