Reiki Practitioners Research Articles

A study to assess the effectiveness of reiki therapy on pain and anxiety among critically ill women admitted in selected hospital, Tiruvannamalai

Introduction: Reiki therapy is a hands-on healing technique that transmits universal energy from the Reiki practitioner to the person receiving the treatment. The aim of the study was a quasi-experimental study was carried out in government medical college and hospital at Tiruvannamalai to evaluate the effectiveness of reiki therapy on pain and anxiety among critically ill women’s. 60 subjects were selected by using non-probability convenience sampling technique and the sample was equally divided into experimental & control group (30 in each group). Results: In experimental group, pain pretest mean score was 7.13 with SD± 2.01 and post-test mean score was 3.43 with SD± 1.90. The calculated paired‘t’test is t=13.17. In control group, pre-test mean score was 7.23 with SD±1.81and post-test mean score was 7.40 with SD± 1.86 the calculated paired ‘t’ test is t=1.30. In anxiety, experimental group pre-test mean score was 19.90 with SD± 6.87 and post-test mean score was 11.83with SD±6.27and the calculated paired ‘ t’ test is t=13 where as in control group, pre-test mean score was 20.20with SD± 5.38 and post-test mean score was 20.83 with SD± 5.45 the calculated paired ‘t’ test is t=0. In experimental group, pain pre-test mean score was 7.13 with SD± 2.01 and control group mean score was 7.23 with SD± 1.81. The calculated Unpaired “t” value is t=0.13. The post-test mean score was 3.43 with SD± 1.90 and the post mean score was 7.40 with SD± 1.86. The calculated unpaired “t” value was t=8.14. Where as in anxiety experimental group pre-test mean score was 19.90 with SD± of 6.82 and the control group mean score was 20.20with SD±5.38. The calculated Unpaired “t” value is t=0.02. In experimental group post-test mean score was 11.83 with the SD± 6.27 and in control group mean score was 20.83 with SD± 5.45. Conclusion: The findings revealed that, the effectiveness of reiki therapy was statistically tested and found to be statistically significant at p<0.001 level then the control group. Therefore reiki therapy is beneficial to reduce the pain and anxiety of critically ill women’s.

Extended Visual Perception Corroboration: A Pilot Study with Energy Medicine Reiki Practitioners

Extended Visual Perception Corroboration: A Pilot Study with Energy Medicine Reiki Practitioners

Evaluation of a Distance Reiki Program for Frontline Healthcare Workers' Health-Related Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Reiki is a biofield therapy which is based on the explanatory model that the fields of energy and information of living systems can be influenced to promote relaxation and stimulate a healing response. To conduct a pragmatic within-subject pilot trial of a remote Reiki program for frontline healthcare workers' health-related symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals in the UK (eg, physicians, nurses, and paramedics) were eligible to sign up for a distance Reiki program and were also invited to participate in the research study. Eight Reiki practitioners simultaneously gave each participant Reiki remotely for 20minutes on 4 consecutive days. Feasibility of the research was assessed, including recruitment, data completeness, acceptability and intervention fidelity, and preliminary evaluation of changes in outcome measures. Participants' stress, anxiety, pain, wellbeing, and sleep quality were evaluated with 7-point numerical rating scales. Measures were completed when signing up to receive Reiki (pre) and following the final Reiki session (post). Pre and post data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. Seventy-nine healthcare professionals signed up to receive Reiki and took the baseline measures. Of those, 40 completed post-measures after the 4-day intervention and were therefore included in the pre-post analysis. Most participants were female (97.5%), and the mean age was 43.9years old (standard deviations = 11.2). The study was feasible to conduct, with satisfactory recruitment, data completeness, acceptability, and fidelity. Wilcoxon signed ranks tests revealed statistically significant decreases in stress (M = -2.33; P < .001), anxiety (M = -2.79; P < .001) and pain (M = -.79; P < .001), and significant increases in wellbeing (M = -1.79; P < .001) and sleep quality (M = -1.33; P = .019). The Reiki program was feasible and was associated with decreased stress, anxiety and pain, and increased wellbeing and sleep quality in frontline healthcare workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experiences With a Distant Reiki Intervention During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Science of Unitary Human Beings Framework.

An increasing number of individuals are reporting increased stress and anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A feasibility, mixed-method design was conducted to investigate distant Reiki as a virtual healing modality within Rogers' framework of the Science of Unitary Human Beings. Data were collected using pre- and post-distant Reiki session interviews and 2 surveys. Study findings demonstrated changes in participant pattern manifestation and statistically significant reductions in perceived stress and anxiety (P &lt; .001). The preliminary findings support the feasibility of distant Reiki and suggest that nurses, who are Reiki practitioners, may influence the human-environmental field to foster healing.

An Evaluation of the Subjective Experience of Receiving Reiki: Qualitative Results from a Pragmatic Effectiveness Study.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the subjective experience of Reiki in a large sample. Design: The study design was a single-arm pragmatic effectiveness trial with qualitative questions completed post-Reiki session. Setting: The study took place at private Reiki practices across the United States. Subjects: A total of 99 Reiki practitioners met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. Reiki practitioners invited each of their Reiki clients to complete a survey before and after the Reiki session. Of the N = 1575 Reiki sessions recorded, N = 1284 qualitative responses were completed (82% of total) and included in the analysis. Interventions: Trained and experienced Reiki masters conducted Reiki sessions in person, with each session lasting between 45 and 90 min. Outcome measures: Participants were asked to describe their experience during the Reiki session. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed eight major themes: (1) deep relaxation and calm (68%), (2) body sensations/somatic experiences (53%), (3) emotions (29%), (4) spiritual or symbolic significance (18%), (5) changes in symptoms (17%), (6) changes in perception (11%), (7) sleep and drowsiness (10%), and (8) changes to breathing (4%). Significantly more males reported feeling relaxed and experiencing time perception changes, whereas more females reported body sensations, emotions, visual perceptions, and spiritual significance. Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that Reiki can elicit the relaxation response and alter emotions and perception in such a way as to facilitate a transformative subjective healing experience. Future work will analyze these themes as they relate to changes in symptoms and compare the experience of Reiki with other biofield therapies.

Assessing the Ability of Reiki Practitioners to Detect Human Energy Fields

Reiki is a form of energy healing that has gained popularity in the United States, but there remains skepticism about its scientific validity. This study examines the ability of Reiki practitioners (RP) to detect human energy fields (HEF). Volunteer RP were asked to identify the location of a human hand under blinded conditions for a total of 20 trials. Four potential options existed for subjects (right, left, both, or neither); thus, random chance would predict a success rate of 25%. A success rate of &gt;40% was considered significant, and these individuals would be asked to conduct another 40 trials. A control group of non-energy trained volunteers were also asked to complete the same task. A total of 67, mainly female (91%), RP participated in this study. The majority were Reiki Masters (90%) and practiced Reiki an average of 11.4 years (±6.2, 1.5-24). They had a mean success rate of detecting HEF of 25.4%, (median 5 ± 1.8, 1-10), while the control group (n = 25) had an average success rate of 24.2% (median 5 ± 1.6, 2-8). One subject met criteria for repeat testing for a final 42% accuracy rate. Level of training (masters versus level II), years of experience (&gt;10), age (&gt;60), female sex, handedness, or time to detect HEF (average &gt;20 sec) did not correlate to an increase in accuracy for RP. RPs’ ability to HEF was equivalent to chance and similar to the control group of non-energy trained volunteers. The mechanism by which reiki provides benefits to patients is still unknown, and while this study indicates that it may not be through the manipulation of energy fields, alternate explanations include physical touch and healing touch, both of which should be explored in future research.

Reiki practitioners’ perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience, practice and future of Reiki

ObjectivesThis study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience, practice and future of Reiki in the UK, including the personal impact of the pandemic on practitioners and their work, practitioner perceptions of the future of the profession and Reiki delivery, and practitioner experiences and views of distant Reiki in comparison to hands on or near the body treatments. MethodA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was carried out with 10 Reiki practitioners. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsThree themes were identified: adapting and growing with the challenges of COVID-19, Reiki for individual and community resilience, and moving from the mainstream hands on to lesser known distant Reiki. ConclusionWhile the COVID-19 pandemic personally impacted Reiki practitioners, they focused on turning adversity into opportunity, to overcome a sense of disconnectedness and social isolation, by providing social support and promoting individual and community resilience. Practitioners focused on self-care, personal development and reaching out to the community. Personal Protective Equipment was perceived as necessary for infection control but a potential barrier to the client's experience of Reiki. They saw value in adapting their practice as part of the future of the profession by utilising new technology and distant Reiki healing, but were clear this could not replace in person contact.

Reiki practitioners’ experiences of self-healing and transformation

This research explored the experiences of healing and transformation within Reiki practitioners. Reiki practitioners are attuned to a traditional and ancient hands-on healing technique which involves the practitioner channelling life-force energy through their hands to heal themselves or others. The methodology of intuitive inquiry was used, and the interview transcripts of eight participants were analysed using Thematic Content Analysis. Eight themes were formed and included: Opening the Door, Shifting Beliefs, Lifestyle Changes, Healing Crisis, Moving Past Doubts, Spiritual Connection and Self-Empowerment. The results were presented through a compound narrative of the participants’ experiences. The findings showed that Reiki practitioners experienced transformation on mental, emotional, physical and spiritual levels. Many of the participants experienced struggles that they learned to interpret as meaningful. They also shifted their beliefs and made lifestyle changes which led to greater self-empowerment.

Implementation of a Volunteer Reiki Program at an Academic Medical Center in the Midwest.

Background: Reiki is a universal life-force energy that promotes healing and relaxation. Reiki requires no equipment or technology, is noninvasive, does not interfere with conventional treatments, is appropriate for all ages, and has no known medical contraindications. There is an emerging preference for nonopioid therapies for symptom management. Within an integrative person-centered holistic care model, nursing care plans include a patient's whole narrative with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements. The Evidence-Based Practice PICOT Question: Will hospitalized patients of any age (population) receiving one 20-minute session of Reiki (intervention) compared with usual care (comparison) report a change from prerating symptom score (outcome) at the completion of the 20-minute session (time frame)? Method: A total of 1,278 patients received a 20-minute Reiki session with volunteer, certified Reiki practitioners from September 2017 through October 2019. Results: The average symptom prescore was 5.52 and postscore was 2.25, thus showing an average change of -3.17. Conclusions: The authors presented the results that were consistent with research findings from the literature review suggesting that Reiki can decrease pain, general discomfort, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea.

Mudanças na percepção da qualidade de vida durante o aprendizado do Reiki

OBJETIVO: Avaliar eventuais mudanças da percepção da qualidade de vida por parte dos reikianos durante o processo de aprendizado do Reiki.MÉTODOS: Foi avaliada a percepção da qualidade de vida através do questionário WHOQOL-Bref. O questionário foi aplicado aos sujeitos antes do aprendizado dos níveis I (n=146), II (n=62) e III (n=48) do curso e depois do nível III (n=10). Os resultados de cada questão e dimensão do questionário foram categorizados por nível e a significância das mudanças de escore foram analisadas pelo teste t de Student (questões individuais) e ANOVA (Dimensões).RESULTADOS: O escore global de percepção da qualidade de vida foi maior antes do Reiki nível II (n=62) do que antes do Reiki nível I (n=146) (ANOVA, P&lt;0,001), e antes do Reiki nível III (n=48; P&lt;0,001). O domínio físico apresenta melhora significativa (ANOVA, P&lt;0,001) logo após o nível I do Reiki. Isoladamente, houve melhora significativa (teste t de Student, P&lt;0,05) na percepção de segurança, do ambiente físico, da disponibilidade de informações, da satisfação com o sono, da capacidade de desempenhar suas atividades e da capacidade para o trabalho, bem como diminuição dos sentimentos negativos ao longo do aprendizado do Reiki.CONCLUSÕES: O Reiki melhora significativamente a percepção da qualidade de vida dos reikianos durante o seu processo de formação.

Educate, Try, and Share: A Feasibility Study to Assess the Acceptance and Use of Reiki as an Adjunct Therapy for Chronic Pain in Military Health Care Facilities.

Reiki, a biofield energy therapy, continues to struggle in finding its permanent place among the portfolio of complementary and alternative medicine modalities in many military health care facilities. Although it has been shown to help in the management of pain, lack of knowledge and limited first-hand experience impact its foothold. The purpose of this feasibility study was to (1) educate participants about the concept of Reiki, (2) give participants the opportunity to experience six Reiki therapy sessions and subsequently assess outcomes on chronic pain, and (3) assess participants' impression of and willingness to continue using and recommending Reiki therapy as adjunct for the treatment of chronic pain. Using a prospective repeated measures pre- and postintervention design, a convenience sample of 30 military health care beneficiaries with chronic pain were educated about Reiki and received six 30-minute Reiki sessions over 2 to 3weeks. Pain was assessed using a battery of pain assessment tools as well as assessment of impression of and willingness to share the concept of Reiki. This study was approved by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Institutional Review Board (No. M10617). Repeated measures ANOVA analyses showed that there was significant decrease (P< 0.001) in present, average, and worst pain over the course of the six sessions with the most significant effect occurring up to the fourth session. When a variety of descriptor of pain was assessed, Reiki had a significant effect on 12 out of the 22 assessed, with the most significant effect on pain that was described as tingling/pins and needles (P=0.001), sharp (P=0.001), and aching (P=0.001). Pain's interference with general activity, walking, relationships, sleep, enjoyment of life, and stress significantly decreased (P< 0.001 to P=0.002). Impression of improvement scores increased 27% by session 6, and one's knowledge about Reiki improved 43%. Eighty-one percent of the participants stated that they would consider scheduling Reiki sessions if they were offered with 70% desiring at least four sessions per month. A 30-minute Reiki session, performed by a trained Reiki practitioner, is feasible in an outpatient setting with possible positive outcomes for participants who are willing to try at least four consecutive sessions. Reiki has the ability to impact a variety of types of pain as well as positively impacting those activities of life that pain often interferes with. However, education and the opportunity to experience this energy healing modality are key for its acceptance in military health care facilities as well as more robust clinical studies within the military health care system to further assess its validity and efficacy.

A Large-Scale Effectiveness Trial of Reiki for Physical and Psychological Health.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to measure the effect of a single session of Reiki on physical and psychological health in a large nonclinical sample. Design: The study design was a single arm effectiveness trial with measures at pre-and postintervention. Settings: The study took place at private Reiki practices across the United States. Subjects: Reiki practitioners were recruited from an online mailing list to participate in the study with their Reiki clients. A total of 99 Reiki practitioners met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. Reiki practitioners were instructed to give a flyer to each of their Reiki clients that contained information about the study and invited the client to complete a survey before and after their Reiki session. Interventions: Trained and certified Reiki Masters conducted the Reiki sessions in person, with each session lasting between 45 and 90 min. Outcome measures: The well-validated 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was used to assess affect, and brief, single-item self-report measures were used to assess a wide range of physical and psychological variables immediately before (pre) and after (post) the Reiki session. Results: A total of N = 1411 Reiki sessions were conducted and included in the analysis. Statistically significant improvements were observed for all outcome measures, including positive affect, negative affect, pain, drowsiness, tiredness, nausea, appetite, shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being (all p-values <0.001). Conclusions: The results from this large-scale multisite effectiveness trial suggest that a single session of Reiki improves multiple variables related to physical and psychological health.

Stress buster sessions for nursing students

Stress buster sessions for nursing students

March 2018 Noteworthy News.

REIKI IN THE NICU FOR OPIOID WITHDRAW? As more Americans are succumbing to opioid abuse, neonates are innocently being affected from those pregnant opioid users. Although this is not a new phenomenan1 in history, it is estimated that today there are over 2 million people with an opioid addiction in the United States.2 Regardless of gestational age beyond viability, many of these neonates end up being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to the withdrawal period postdelivery from regular fetal opioid exposure called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).3,4 Assessments of neonates with NAS have been measured using several different NAS tools over time, with the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System getting most use.3,5 NAS symptoms include, but are not limited to, uncoordinated feeding patterns, vomiting, diarrhea, high-pitched crying, and irritability.3 In premature infants born to opioid-addicted mothers, the risk for more frequent intermittent hypoxemia is present compared with the baseline intermittent hypoxemia common among most premature infants.6 NAS admissions have increased significantly over the last decade, which has increased length of stay and medical interventions.7 Neonatal nurses will need to continue expanding their thoughts and tools to assist in caring for this growing patient population. One nonpharmacologic option recently researched in this patient population is the use of Reiki therapy.8 Reiki therapy is considered complementary or an alternative medicine that uses the person's own healing energy guided by a Reiki practitioner to restore the body and/or restore balance within the person.9 Thirty opioid-exposed infants underwent a 30-minute Reiki therapy session with vital signs monitored to ensure the neonate was not overstimulated. Analyses showed performing Reiki in a NAS group of neonates did not pose any adverse events and, in fact, may have caused relaxation as noted by a slight decrease in heart rate during the session.8 Although the sample size was small and much more research is needed to determine further benefit, Reiki may be a viable nonpharmacologic intervention to opioid-exposed neonates with NAS. FETAL MRIs FOR CONGENITAL ANOMALIES Fetal ultrasounds have become the main imaging go-to for over the last several decades. Fetal interventions and close management of fetal anomalies have evolved, with some radiologists questioning more utility of fetal MRI.10 Fetal MRI could allow not only for detecting the presence of a physical malformation like ultrasound, but it would take the level of information to the next level. For example, in the situation of a fetus having a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, ultrasound would be sufficient to determine its presence; however, fetal MRI would be able to detect which organs were involved.11 As medicine becomes more sophisticated and decisions are made prior to delivery, the use of fetal MRIs may become more frequent and more commonly accepted. Fetal MRI might be an added layer of imagining that will provide needed information, in very specific cases, that will outweigh the risk involved with the procedure. LARYNGEAL, BAG AND MASK, OR ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE Positive-pressure ventilation is occasionally needed for infants shortly after birth or during their stay in the NICU. Recently, a Cochrane Review published information covering 7 different studies that enrolled nearly 800 infants and compared laryngeal, bag and mask, and endotracheal tube delivery.12 Although often not as frequently utilized, laryngeal mask ventilation was measured as equivalent, if not more effective, compared with bag and mask ventilation and endotracheal ventilation. In the case of failed intubation, laryngeal mask ventilation was a second best option. Evidence to support, these claims were researched primarily in infants 34 weeks' gestation and older and greater than 1500 g. Therefore, making these conclusions for infants less than 34 weeks and less than 1500 g may be imprecise. In summary, laryngeal, bag and mask, and endotracheal tube ventilation are all viable options and choosing the best method may be based upon on situation at hand.

Reiki as surrender: evidence of an external authority

In this article I explore the concept of surrender and its significance for Reiki practitioners. Reiki is a hands-on healing method with roots in spiritual practice. The term ‘surrender’ has been emphasised, not always explicitly, by Reiki practitioners in Britain. I posit that surrender within the Reiki context is indicative of an external authority and source of significance. This contributes to previous literature regarding internal self-authority or non-formative social authority and shows that an external authority provides a third form of influence for practitioners. I explicate the idea of surrender and demonstrate that the object of that surrender, understood as reiki energy, has agency and that the power of this agency is operationalised through authority. In effect, surrender illuminates a consideration of reiki as an agential external authority which is legitimised through practice and training, allowing for new forms of a transformed identity and a sense of freedom and autonomy from hegemonic discourses.

Enhanced coherence within the theta band between pairs of brains engaging in experienced versus naïve Reiki procedures.

The study objective was to discern whether the coherence between brain activities of the "patient" and practitioner differ between Reiki experts and novices. If the physical process associated with Reiki involves "convergence" between the practitioner and subject, then this congruence should be evident in time-dependent shared power within specific and meaningful frequency electroencephalographic bands. Simultaneous quantitative electroencephalogram measures (19 channels) were recorded from 9 pairs of subjects when 1 of the pairs was an experienced Reiki practitioner or had just been shown the procedure. Pairs recorded their experiences and images. The "practitioner" and "patient" pairs were measured within a quiet, comfortable acoustic chamber. Real-time correlations and coherence between pairs of brains for power (μV(2)·Hz(-1)) within the various frequency bands over the 10-min sessions were recorded and analyzed for each pair. Descriptors of experiences were analyzed for word meanings. Only the coherence within the theta range increased over time between the brains of the Reiki pairs relative to the Sham pairs, particularly over the left hemisphere. The pleasantness-unpleasantness rating for the words employed to describe experiences written after the experiment were more congruent for the Reiki pairs compared to the reference pairs. The increased synchronization of the cerebral activity of the participant and the practitioner during proximal therapies involving touch such as Reiki may be an important component of any subsequent beneficial effects.

Reiki Brief Report: Using Reiki to Reduce Stress Levels in a Nine-Year-Old Child

A nine-year-old female with a history of perinatal stroke, seizures, and type-I diabetes was seen for six weeks of Reiki to determine the effects of Reiki on relaxation, and in turn, the prevention of future seizures. The secondary and tertiary aims were to determine the effects of Reiki on sleep patterns and the stress levels of the mother. There was a decrease in stress in both the child and the mother, as measured by a modified Perceived Stress Scale and a Perceived Stress Scale, respectively. There was no change in the child's overall sense of well-being, as measured by a global questionnaire. There was a positive change in sleep patterns on 33.3% of the nights during which the study occurred, as reported on a sleep log kept by the mother. The child and the Reiki Master (a Reiki practitioner who has completed all three levels of Reiki certification training and trains and certifies individuals in the practice of Reiki as well as provides Reiki to individuals) experienced warmth and tingling sensations on the same area of the child during the Reiki sessions. The child relaxed within the first five to seven minutes of each session as reported by the Reiki Master. There were no reports of seizures during this study. Reiki may be a useful adjunct for children with increased stress levels and sleep disturbances secondary to their medical condition. Further research is warranted to evaluate the use of Reiki in children, particularly with a large sample size, and to evaluate the long-term use of Reiki and its effects on adequate sleep.

On the Boundaries of Medicine and Spirituality

This article examines professionalization and self-regulation in two Swedish Reiki organizations. The main question is: how do they approach their activities in relations to established (bio-) medicine/science and public health care? With help from qualitative interviews with key actors and a variety of written material, we take a closer look at the goals of the organizations, how they relate to spiritual and medical/scientific claims, and how they work to establish different forms of legitimacy and professional status. The results indicate that both organizations work actively to increase the general legitimacy of Reiki and to establish Reiki as an occupation. However, a key dilemma is how to deal with the different kinds of Reiki practitioners. Most people who attend Reiki training use it as a self-help technique, and have no intention of working professionally. One of the organizations has chosen to focus on the issue of getting Reiki acknowledged in medical settings and by public authorities. This organization has also made the choice to first of all be an organization for those who want to work professionally and who supports research in this area. The other organization has chosen a broader approach as an association for all kinds of Reiki practitioners, as long as they follow general statutes and guidelines. The difference in focus is also evident in other aspects of their work. For example, the first organization has developed a documentation protocol to contribute to scientific knowledge on the effects of Reiki. In general, this organization is focused on the technical or physical aspects of Reiki. The second organization has focused on developing common standards for education in order to secure quality and support a common understanding of Reiki. This second organization has a more pluralistic approach concerning spiritual aspects of the tradition.

Practicing Reiki Does Not Appear to Routinely Produce High-Intensity Electromagnetic Fields from the Heart or Hands of Reiki Practitioners

The study objective was to determine whether Reiki practice increases the electromagnetic field strength from the heart and hands of Reiki practitioners. This study repeated experiments performed 20 years ago that detected exceptionally high-strength electromagnetic fields (100 nT) from the hands of several energy healers. The equipment used was far more sensitive than in the original studies. Using a Magnes 2500 WH SQUID, the electromagnetic field from the hands and heart of each of 3 Reiki masters was measured when they were (1) not practicing Reiki, (2) sending Reiki to a distant person, and (3) sending Reiki to a person in the room. Similar measurements were made on 4 Reiki-naïve volunteers before and after they received a Reiki training/attunement enabling them to self-administer Reiki. The study setting was the Scripps Institute, San Diego, CA. Magnetic field intensity of hands and heart recorded over 5-minute sessions with corresponding frequency spectra. For all subjects, under all conditions, sensors closest to the heart and the hands produced spikes of 2 pT corresponding to the heartbeat. Recordings from 2 Masters and 1 volunteer showed a low-intensity sine wave oscillation of 0.25-0.3 Hz (intensity 0.1-0.5 pT) whether or not they were practicing Reiki. This oscillation probably reflected respiratory sinus arrhythmia, judged by comparison with recent previous studies. These signals were not detected in the original studies. In the current study, no electromagnetic field intensities greater than 3 pT were observed in any of the recordings. Practicing Reiki does not appear to routinely produce high-intensity electromagnetic fields from the heart or hands. Alternatively, it is possible that energy healing is stimulated by tuning into an external environmental radiation, such as the Schumann resonance, which was blocked in the present study by the strong magnetic shielding surrounding the SQUID.

Physiological changes in energy healers during self-practice

The physiological status of energy healers during self-practice (activating the healing state without the presence of a recipient) has rarely been examined. This study assessed self practice-related changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in Reiki Masters and advanced Reconnective Healers. Measurements of heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and cutaneous blood perfusion of the fingers, of 31 Reiki masters and 50 experienced Reconnective Healers were made before, during and after self-practice. Corresponding measurements were made on 32 control subjects, who gazed at a calming picture in place of self-practice. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory setting. During self-practice by Reconnective Healers, the average HR did not change significantly compared to control subjects but the average HRV and the root mean square of successive differences in inter-beat interval (RMSSD) decreased by 11ms (95% CI 0.6, 4.6, p=0.009) and 13ms (95% CI 0.2, 4.1, p=0.031) more than in control subjects, respectively, indicating reduced parasympathetic nervous activity. Reiki Masters showed no significant change in HR, HRV or RMSSD compared to control subjects. Cutaneous blood perfusion increased during self-practice relative to control subjects in both Reconnective Healers (6.5%; p=0.012) and Reiki Masters (13.7%; p<0.001). Contrary to expectations, neither Reconnective Healers nor Reiki practitioners appear to enter a more physiologically relaxed state during self-practice although there is a local peripheral vasodilatation that is probably mediated by humoral agents.