Teaching Nurses Reiki Energy Therapy for Self-Care

Abstract

Reiki energy therapy benefits both practitioner and recipient in assisting the body to heal. Reiki Level I was taught as a self-care practice to a convenience sample of 24 baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses. The purpose of the study was to replicate an original pilot study by <xref>Brathovde (2006)</xref> which asked the question: If Reiki Level I energy therapy were taught to health-care providers as a self-care practice, would the perceptions of their own caring behaviors change? A mixed-methods research technique was utilized: demographic data, a self-report Caring Efficacy Scale before and after Reiki training, and interview. From before to after Reiki training, Caring Efficacy Scales demonstrated positive change in the participants’ perceptions of their own caring behaviors. This also showed a relationship to the themes arising from qualitative data, which were identified as calm presence, spiritual connection, the importance of caring for the self in order to care for others, and using more personal self-care and reflective practices. The findings of this study have practical importance to nursing practice, as nurses working in our current health-care environment can benefit from utilizing self-care practices in order to provide more compassionate care to their patients and to enhance their own caring behaviors.