You Discover That a Holistic Treatment Called “Ear Candling” Involves

You discover that a holistic treatment called “ear candling” involves putting the end of a wax-coated cloth cone (a “candle”) into your ear and lighting it on fire, letting it burn to within about four inches of your face, and then repeating with a new candle. This process is supposed to remove tension, anxiety, and stress from your body. Which of the following statements or questions would be MOST helpful in scientifically evaluating these claims?

A) Your great-aunt used ear candling on all of her children and grandchildren and they have all lived long and healthy lives.
B) Have there been any studies that measured the feelings of well-being in individuals before and after ear candling?
C) Ear candling has been used for centuries by many different cultures to cure earaches, reduce stress, and promote general well-being.
D) Have there been any reproducible, peer-reviewed studies that compared ear candling in individuals who have ear infections with those who do not have ear infections?