Suicides and the lunar cycle.
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.
Gutiérrez-García
J M
JM
Departamento de Estadística y Econometría, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao, Spain.
Tusell
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016081:Moon; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*