Reiki Treatment Research Articles

The effect of energy from reiki treatments on sleep quality for patients with breast and prostate cancer on hormone therapy.

e24076 Background: Manypatients with cancer receiving hormone therapy experience difficulty with sleeping and insomnia. Reiki is a technique where therapy is delivered to the patient with either no or very light physical touch whereas traditional massage therapy uses pressure and movement by the therapist to manipulate soft tissue. Both Reiki and traditional massage therapy have been shown by others to be effective in providing benefits in sleep quality. This study is the first to compare changes in sleep quality after massage and Reiki treatments in patients with prostate and breast cancer receiving hormone therapy. Methods: Eighty-seven, breast (n = 56) and prostate cancer (n = 31), patients receiving hormone therapy experiencing self-reported fatigue ≥4/10were included in this randomized controlled trial (RCT). Patients were randomized into one of three treatment arms for 4-weeks: Arm 1 received two massage treatments, Arm 2 received two Reiki treatments and Arm 3 received four Reiki treatments. Each treatment session was approximately 75 minutes. . Participants with a baseline score of ( ≥8) on the ISI were included in this analysis. Results: 75% of all enrolled participants (n = 65) met the inclusion criteria for baseline clinically meaningful insomnia. Both Reiki and massage provided improvement in sleep quality from pre to post intervention and there was no difference between 2 and 4 Reiki sessions. Reiki significantly increased sleep quality (p > .01) with a mean decrease in total ISI score of 2.96. Massage therapy showed a trend towards improved sleep quality (p = 0.06) with a mean decrease in ISI score of 1.95. There was a clinically meaningful decrease in total ISI score (≥6) in 15% of those who received massage therapy compared to 25% in the reiki therapy group. Conclusions: Four weeks of Reiki significantly improved sleep quality in patients with breast and prostate cancer receiving hormone therapy. Reiki may be a better non-pharmacologic therapeutic for improving sleep quality. Clinical trial information: NCT02758756 .

The effect of reiki on anxiety, fear, pain, and oxygen saturation in abdominal surgery patients: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Reiki on anxiety, fear, pain levels, and oxygen saturation in open abdominal surgery patients. Materials and MethodsA three-arm, parallel, randomized, and controlled trial design was used in this study. 93 participants were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups (n = 31): reiki, sham reiki, and control groups. All patients in the experimental group, before and after Reiki or Sham Reiki treatments, and all patients in the control groups without any intervention were evaluated with the State Anxiety Inventory STAI-I, with the Surgical Fear Questionnaire for fear of surgery and pain. VAS Scale. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Wilcoxon were used in the analysis of the research data. ResultsSurgical fear, anxiety, and pain levels decreased, and oxygen saturation levels increased in the Reiki group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.005). DiscussionSince Reiki is inexpensive, safe, effective, and easy to apply, it should be administered by nurses to patients who are scheduled for open abdominal surgery.

Reiki Is Associated with Changes in Blood Cell Quality

Alternative health practitioners, especially those utilizing biofield energies, are challenged to explain what is happening outside of what individuals receiving treatment share post session about their experiences. This research aims to demonstrate the cellular effect, reflected in human blood as evidenced by darkfield microscopy, of an energetic or spiritual treatment. To achieve this, 71 volunteers were recruited for the Vibrant Health Research project. Each volunteer donated blood samples by capillary puncture and received 30 minutes of Reiki. This study aimed to determine if one Reiki treatment session induced changes of quality (motility, shape, and structure) and influenced oxidative stress components within erythrocytes (red blood cells; RBCs). This study further aimed to document any Reiki-induced changes in the protit (somatid), terrain (milieu), or pleomorphic development in the live blood sample. This research also measured changes in volunteer’s perceived wellbeing pre- and posttreatment. These data found that Reiki Ryoho treatment influences mental/emotional outcomes as well as physical effects on live blood samples. Specifically, Reiki treatment was shown here to decrease negative emotions (p = .004) and change the size/shape (p = .003), spatial distance (p &lt; .001), and motility (p = .017) of RBCs. Further, Reiki treatment was also associated with notable differences in the pleomorphic development and markers of oxidative stress reflected in live blood samples. Overall, more systematic research is warranted to validate these findings of long-term Reiki-induced influences on blood.

Feasibility and Effect of Reiki on the Physiology and Self-perceived Stress of Nurses in a Large US Hospital.

Nurses experience stress in the workplace. We evaluated the feasibility and effect of Reiki to relieve stress of staff nurses during a work shift. All Reiki treatments were completed without interruption and lasted 30 minutes. Stress scores, respiratory rate, and heart rate were significantly decreased immediately following the Reiki treatment.

The effect of Acupressure and Reiki application on Patient's pain and comfort level after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to examine the effect of Acupressure and Reiki application on patient's pain and comfort level after Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and methodsIn this prospective, single blinded randomized controlled trial, subjects were 132 adult patients, hospitalized in the General Surgery clinics and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy of a Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. Subjects were then assigned including a Reiki group of 44 persons, an Acupressure group of 44 persons, and a control group of 44 persons. The pain and comfort levels of all the patients, before and after the Acupressure and Reiki treatments in the experimental group, and without any intervention in the control groups were determined at the 3rd postoperative hour, using Pain on Visual Analogue Scale (Pain on VAS), Perianesthesia Comfort Scale (PCS) and General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). The data analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, Shapiro Wilk test, paired samples t-test, Mann Whitney U test, ANOVA and LSD multiple comparison tests, Kruskal Wallis test and Wilcoxon test. ResultsIn the patients who received reiki and acupressure treatment, the pain level decreased, comfort level increased and the difference between the groups was found to be significant (p < 0.05). ConclusionReiki and Acupressure applied to the patients after Laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreased the pain and increased the comfort level.

The effects of reiki on heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and stress levels: A pilot randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study

Reiki is a biofield energy therapy that focuses on optimizing the body's natural healing abilities by balancing the life force energy or qi/chi. Reiki has been shown to reduce stress, pain levels, help with depression/anxiety, increase relaxation, improve fatigue, and quality of life. In this pilot randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study, the effects of Reiki on heart rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, body temperature, and stress levels were explored in an effort to gain objective outcome measures and to understand the underlying physiological mechanisms of how Reiki may be having these therapeutic effects on subjective measures of stress, pain, relaxation, and depression/anxiety. Forty eight (n = 48) subjects were block randomized into three groups (Reiki treatment, sham treatment, and no treatment). The changes in pre- and post-treatment measurements for each outcome measure was analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) post hoc multiple comparison test, which found no statistically significant difference between any of the groups. The p-value for the comparison of Reiki and sham groups for heart rate was 0.053, which is very close to being significant and so, a definitive conclusion can not be made based on this pilot study alone. A second study with a larger sample size is warranted to investigate this finding further and perhaps with additional outcome measures to look at other possible physiological mechanisms that may underlie the therapeutic effects of Reiki.

Stress buster sessions for nursing students

Stress buster sessions for nursing students

Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy.

This study reviews the available clinical studies of Reiki to determine whether there is evidence for Reiki providing more than just a placebo effect. The available English-language literature of Reiki was reviewed, specifically for peer-reviewed clinical studies with more than 20 participants in the Reiki treatment arm, controlling for a placebo effect. Of the 13 suitable studies, 8 demonstrated Reiki being more effective than placebo, 4 found no difference but had questionable statistical resolving power, and only one provided clear evidence for not providing benefit. Viewed collectively, these studies provide reasonably strong support for Reiki being more effective than placebo. From the information currently available, Reiki is a safe and gentle “complementary” therapy that activates the parasympathetic nervous system to heal body and mind. It has potential for broader use in management of chronic health conditions, and possibly in postoperative recovery. Research is needed to optimize the delivery of Reiki.

Self-Efficacy for Coping with Cancer Enhances the Effect of Reiki Treatments During the Pre-Surgery Phase of Breast Cancer Patients.

Self-efficacy for coping with cancer plays a critical role in influencing psychological cancer-related outcomes, some studies suggested its role in enhancing or reducing the effects of psychological interventions in cancer patients. Reiki has recently been included among the efficacious complementary therapeutic intervention for cancer patients. The present study evaluated the role of self-efficacy for coping with cancer as buffer of the Reiki treatment effects on cancer-related symptoms in a randomized controlled trial (intervention versus control group) of breast cancer patients (N=110) during the pre-surgery phase. Results showed that self-efficacy for coping with cancer can influence the effect of a Reiki treatment. Higher efficacious patients showed a more powerful effect of the Reiki intervention on both anxiety and mood than the low efficacious patients. From a practical perspective, the study provides insightful results for healthcare professionals.

Reiki: a modality towards holistic approach to cancer cure

Reiki is one of the complementary and alternative medicine modalities which have been accepted and appreciated, globally. Many evidence based studies have validated its role in cancer. Reiki can play a major role in changing the patient’s outlook towards life and increasing the patient’s ability as well as willingness to comply with physician’s instructions and adhere to treatment protocols. The goal of Reiki treatments is to strengthen the flow of energy through these blocked or disturbed pathways, thus decreasing pain and enhancing the body’s natural ability to fight illnesses and heal itself. It combats the nausea caused from chemotherapy. One of the major criticism is lack of scientific foundation. There has been effort to collaborate conventional and complementary therapies to improve the quality of future research. In the near future, it may be considered as one of the advanced modalities of alternative medicine used in conjunction with conventional therapy for holistic approach for cancer management.

The impact of Reiki on side effects in patients with head-neck neoplasia undergoing radiotherapy: a pilot study

Cancer patients often report symptoms related to therapeutic treatment, whose management is based on traditional medicine. In recent years, however, there has been growing interest towards adopting some form of complementary medicine, among these, Reiki. The aim of this study is to evaluate how this type of discipline can contribute to managing radiotherapy-related symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer. The study was performed in the Radiotherapy Department at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome. To assess QoL, the FACT-H N questionnaire was used, while the CTCAE Scale was adopted to evaluate mucositis, cutaneous toxicity and salivation. 10.5% of patients were reported to experience strong pain in the fifth week, compared to 21.1% of patients in the previous week; a degree of mucositis equal to G3 was also found in 15.5% of cases according to the clinical evaluation, as well as in 10.5% of patients according to the functional one. Only one case (5.3%) of grade 3 cutaneous toxicity was registered. The study shows how the Reiki treatment benefits patients in most cases, with both psychological support to help deal with the therapeutic process together with integrated support towards pain therapy.

The effect of Reiki therapy on quality of life of patients with blood cancer: Results from a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionReiki therapy has been used for a variety of health issues. The aim of this study was to ascertain how Reiki therapy could help holistically in alleviating suffering in patients with blood cancer. Its main aims were to: (1) assess the effect of Reiki as a complementary therapy on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients, (2) compare the QoL of cancer patients receiving Reiki therapy with the QoL of cancer patients who received sham Reiki therapy. MethodsThe sample consisted of an intervention (58 patients) and a control group (initially consisting of 58 patients). Patients were allocated to one of two groups (true Reiki or sham Reiki) by using computer randomization. True Reiki or sham Reiki treatment was delivered twice a week for 4 weeks and lasted 60min. Quality of life was measured using the Portuguese version of the WHOQoL-Bref. Data was analysed using univariate comparisons, t Student or Mann-Whitney test for each dimension, and multivariate comparison by estimation of latent class models. ResultsSixteen patients who had been allocated to the control group died after recruitment into the study and before they took part in the study or had answered the questionnaire. The Reiki group showed significantly more improvements in the general, physical, environmental, and social dimensions of the WHOQoL-Bref (p<0.05). Only the psychological domain did not reach statistical significance. Multivariate clustering using latent class models revealed that being younger (under 52), an unmarried male, and having a higher level of education contributed to a greater satisfaction with life in those you received true Reiki therapy when compared with sham Reiki. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that Reiki may be an effective and safe option for improving well-being in patients with blood cancer. These findings may lend support for the inclusion of Reiki into national health services as it may provide a useful contribution to improving patients' welfare and consequently a better quality of life.

Usui Reiki in an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Some surgical patients have documented high anxiety levels. While medication is offered, holistic methods can also decrease anxiety. Implementing Reiki treatments into our nursing care would provide another choice for patients with high anxiety.

Application of reiki on depression in nursing: a literature review

Introduction Depression is a growing global mental problem which affects an individual's physical, psychological and social functioning. Reiki, a complementary and alternative therapy which activates the natural healing abilities of body and enhances the growth of psycho-spirituality of an individual, is increasingly used by health care professionals to help clients suffering from depression. Studies showed that Reiki had a positive impact to improve the mood and emotion of depressive clients. Objectives To assess the application of Reiki on depression in nursing. Aims To review literatures on application of Reiki on depression in nursing. Methods Databases of CINAHL and MEDLINE between 2000 and 2012 were searched using keywords of ‘Reiki’, ‘depression’ and ‘nursing’. Results Three studies were found and relevant to the keywords. An experimental study was performed on older adults which revealed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms when compared with the control group without Reiki treatment. Two randomized clinical trials with control groups performed in community also had found an improvement of depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and stress in treatment, of which one of them had showed the continuity of Reiki effect lasted for a year. Conclusions Since evidences showed a positive impact of Reiki on depressive clients, it is suggested to perform Reiki treatment by nurses as an adjuvant therapy on depressive clients. Study on the application and effectiveness of Reiki is recommended so as to review the outcome and establish an evidence base for Reiki in nursing practice.

Heart Rate Variability in a Study on Reiki Treatment

Objective: The objective of this work was to determine any changes in HRV (heart rate variability) using short- time measurements (140 seconds) in a quasi-experimental therapeutic application study on Reiki. Method: HRV was determined using a ready at hand electrocardiogram device the size of a cellular phone, which requires a measuring time of 140 seconds and electrode contact only with the finger tips. Measurements were performed on healthy test subjects, before and after a defined control rest period and a defined test intervention period (Reiki treatment). 27 test subjects were enrolled. Results: SDNN (the standard deviation of all heartbeat intervals in ms) and TP (total power of heartbeat interval variability in the frequency range 0.003 - 0.4 Hz in ms 2 ) were together interpreted as an indicator of test subjects' autonomic nervous activity and as a measure of their ability to cope with demands on their health (regulatory capacity). These values increased both in the control (p 0.05). The LF/HF ratio (sympathico-vagal balance) was interpreted as a measure of the balance between activation and relaxation. No changes in the LF/HF ratio were observed in the course of the control or the test intervention period (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both control rest and Reiki treatment had a favourable effect on heart rate variability, but the effect of Reiki treatment was markedly stronger. The measurement device used seems to be a promising tool for practical application studies of this kind.

Reiki as a Pain Management Adjunct in Screening Colonoscopy

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of Reiki decreases the amount of meperidine administered to patients undergoing screening colonoscopy. The literature review reveals limited studies to show whether Reiki has been able to decrease the amount of opioid the patient receives during screening colonoscopy. A chart review of 300 patients was conducted to obtain baseline average doses of meperidine patients received as the control. Following the chart review, 30 patients were recruited to the Reiki study. Twenty-five of the study arm patients received Reiki in conjunction with meperidine. Five randomly chosen study arm patients received placebo Reiki in conjunction with meperidine in an attempt to blind the clinicians to the treatment received by the patients. Results showed that there were no significant differences in meperidine administration between the patients in the chart review group (control) and the Reiki group. The study revealed that 16% who received Reiki, together with intravenous administration of conscious sedation, received less than 50 mg of meperidine. All the patients in the chart review group received more than 50 mg of meperidine. Results from this pilot study suggest that there may be a decrease in meperidine needed during screening colonoscopy when patients receive Reiki treatments before the procedure. A larger study powered to detect smaller medication differences is the next step in more accurately determining the effect of Reiki on pain management.

The Effects of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Attending a Day Oncology and Infusion Services Unit

Reiki is a system of natural healing techniques administered by laying of hands and transferring energy from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient. We investigated the role of Reiki in the management of anxiety, pain and global wellness in cancer patients. Building on the results of a pilot project conducted between 2003 and 2005 by a volunteer association at our hospital, a wider, 3-year study was conducted at the same center. The volunteer Reiki practitioners received 2 years of theory and practical training. The study population was 118 patients (67 women and 51 men; mean age, 55 years) with cancer at any stage and receiving any kind of chemotherapy. Before each session, the nurses collected the patient's personal data and clinical history. Pain and anxiety were evaluated according to a numeric rating scale by the Reiki practitioners. Each session lasted about 30 min; pain and anxiety scores were recorded using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), together with a description of the physical feelings the patients perceived during the session. All 118 patients received at least 1 Reiki treatment (total number, 238). In the subgroup of 22 patients who underwent the full cycle of 4 treatments, the mean VAS anxiety score decreased from 6.77 to 2.28 (P <.000001) and the mean VAS pain score from 4.4 to 2.32 (P = .091). Overall, the sessions were felt helpful in improving well-being, relaxation, pain relief, sleep quality and reducing anxiety. Offering Reiki therapy in hospitals could respond to patients' physical and emotional needs.

The application of Reiki in nurses diagnosed with Burnout Syndrome has beneficial effects on concentration of salivary IgA and blood pressure

This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), α-amylase activity and blood pressure levels after the application of a Reiki session in nurses with Burnout Syndrome. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design was conducted to compare the immediate effects of Reiki versus control intervention (Hand-off sham intervention) in nurses with Burnout Syndrome. Sample was composed of eighteen nurses (aged 34-56 years) with burnout syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a Reiki treatment or a placebo (sham Reiki) treatment, according to the established order in two different days. The ANOVA showed a significant interaction time x intervention for diastolic blood pressure (F=4.92, P=0.04) and sIgA concentration (F=4.71, P=0.04). A Reiki session can produce an immediate and statistically significant improvement in sIgA concentration and diastolic blood pressure in nurses with Burnout Syndrome.

Reiki and Its Journey Into a Hospital Setting

There is a growing interest among health care providers, especially professional nurses to promote caring-healing approaches in patient care and self-care. Health care environments are places of human caring and holistic nurses are helping to lead the way that contemporary health care institutions must become holistic places of healing. The practice of Reiki as well as other practices can assist in the creation of this transformative process. Abington Memorial Hospital (AMH) in Abington, Pennsylvania is a Magnet-designated health care facility with an Integrative Medicine Services Department. AMH's Integrative Medicine staff focuses on the integration of holistic practices, such as Reiki into traditional patient care. Reiki services at AMH were initiated about 10 years ago through the efforts of a Reiki practitioner/nurse and the vision that healing is facilitated through the nurturing of the mind, body, and spirit for healing and self-healing. AMHs-sustained Reiki program includes Reiki treatments and classes for patients, health care providers, and community members. This program has evolved to include a policy and annual competency for any Reiki-trained nurse and other employees to administer Reiki treatments at the bedside.

Immediate Effects of Reiki on Heart Rate Variability, Cortisol Levels, and Body Temperature in Health Care Professionals With Burnout

Burnout is a work-related mental health impairment comprising three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Reiki aims to help replenish and rebalance the body's energetic system, thus stimulating the healing process. The objective of this placebo-controlled, repeated measures, crossover, single-blind, randomized trial was to analyze the immediate effects of Reiki on heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, and salivary flow rate and cortisol level in health care professionals with burnout syndrome (BS). Participants included 21 health care professionals with BS, who were asked to complete two visits to the laboratory with a 1-week interval between sessions. They were randomly assigned the order in which they would receive a Reiki session applied by an experienced therapist and a placebo treatment applied by a therapist with no knowledge of Reiki, who mimicked the Reiki treatment. Temperature, Holter ECG recordings (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval [SDNN], square root of mean squared differences of successive NN intervals [RMSSD], HRV index, low frequency component [LF], and high frequency component [HF]), salivary flow rate and cortisol levels were measured at baseline and postintervention by an assessor blinded to allocation group. SDNN and body temperature were significantly higher after the Reiki treatment than after the placebo. LF was significantly lower after the Reiki treatment. The decrease in the LF domain was associated with the increase in body temperature. These results suggest that Reiki has an effect on the parasympathetic nervous system when applied to health care professionals with BS.