Suicides and the lunar cycle

Psychol Rep. 1997 Feb;80(1):243-50. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1997.80.1.243.

Abstract

The existence of lunar influence on the frequency of suicide is tested by means of a permutation test. A total of 897 suicide deaths reported by the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Madrid were analyzed by a permutation test, a direct application of Fisher's ideas. Noteworthy in this study are the testing method used and the accuracy of timing of the deaths. Both factors provide firm ground for our conclusion: there appears to be no relationship between lunar phases and suicide.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cause of Death
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Moon*
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*