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Using Reiki to manage pain: A preliminary report
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness of Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy in the management of pain. Since no studies in this area could be found, a pilot study was carried out involving 20 volunteers experiencing pain at 55 sites for a variety of reasons, including cancer. All Reiki treatments were provided by a certified second-degree Reiki therapist. Pain was measured using both a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a Likert scale immediately before and after the Reiki treatment. Both instruments showed a highly significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in pain following the Reiki treatment.
... The existence of causal relationships between Reiki and the changes noted cannot be determined from this trial, as there were no control groups. Olson and Hanson (1997) studied the effects of Reiki on moderate pain in 20 self-selected subjects using the visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-10) and the Likert scale (0-5). Each subject's pretreatment pain was at least 3 on the VAS or 2 on the Likert scale. ...
... There was a statistically significant mean pain decrease of 2.25 on the VAS (P=0.001) and 1.25 on the Likert scale (P=0.0002). Olson and Hanson (1997) hypothesized that Reiki may increase endorphin release through action on meridians or close the pain gate through distracting skin stimulation. ...
... The spiritual aspect of Reiki may be comforting (Bullock, 1997). Reiki has no known side effects (Rivera, 1999), and its use is believed to have allowed reduced use of harmful conventional medication (Olson and Hanson, 1997). Reiki could easily be integrated into the NHS, as it compliments other therapies without competition (Figure 2). ...
Reiki is a Tibetan healing energy technique used by health-care professionals in Japan and the United States of America to treat various pathologies. Reiki remains unproven by western science. The Royal College of Nursing has accredited a Reiki course, but further scientific research is needed to determine its clinical effectiveness.
... We found no previous systematic or structured reviews of Reiki in health care, although we did find a review of the available research on Reiki in general 5 and two systematic reviews of its use in distant healing, in which the practitioner focuses on a distantly located patient, using Reiki symbols and the patient's name (and possibly also a picture of the patient) to assist healing. 15,16 Research on the use of Reiki has been undertaken in the areas of surgery, 12 chronic illness, 20 neurology, 21 stroke rehabilitation, 22 cancer care,* cancer pain, 23,24 and mental health. [25][26][27] One study was undertaken in the voluntary sector 25 and two in private health care. ...
... [25][26][27] One study was undertaken in the voluntary sector 25 and two in private health care. 26 The professional groups that tended to conduct research on the effects of Reiki were organizations for nurses, 23,24 psychologists, 20 mental health professionals, 27 medics, 21 rehabilitation professionals, 22 and cancer care professionals.* Several studies did not specify this information. ...
... Several studies did not specify this information. 12,25,26 Among the papers that were reviewed, research into the use of Reiki in health care took place in the United States of America, 12,20,22,26,27 Canada, [23][24][25] India, 21 and Australia.* No research on Reiki in the United Kingdom was deemed suitable for inclusion in the final review. ...
The main purpose of the study was to determine what the national and international evidence reveals about the use of Reiki in health care. The study was designed as a systematic review of the available literature on Reiki, with extraction of all papers presenting primary research on its use in health care. Two chief independent assessors (S.H-M. and F.P-K.) conducted this systematic review over a 12-month period in 2005 and 2006. Specific data collected in the review included the: (1) aims and health care focus of the research and the country in which it was conducted; (2) professional group(s) involved in the research; (3) designs, samples, and methods used in each research study; (4) Reiki technique used and the duration and frequency of treatment, and level of expertise of the practitioner; and (5) outcomes of the research. Studies were also reviewed for the recommendations the researchers made for development of the practice of Reiki, its adoption and the scope of its use, and future research in Reiki.
... 9 Much of the published literature examining the use and impact of Reiki is limited to either case studies describing its use for various diseases, or experimental studies with small sample sizes examining the effects of Reiki on a particular symptom or population of patients. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] This preliminary research supports Reiki as a CAM therapy that may be useful in reducing the anxiety, stress response and promoting relaxation, [17][18][19][20]24,39 perioperative anxiety and pain, 21-23 cancer and chronic pain [24][25][26] as well as cancer related fatigue. 27,28 Though there is variable evidence documenting the effects of Reiki on bio-physiological measures of stress and anxiety, such as blood pressure, heart rate, 26,29-32 salivary immune globulin A, and salivary cortisol, 33 but majority of the studies report a positive impact on these parameters. ...
... 27,28 Though there is variable evidence documenting the effects of Reiki on bio-physiological measures of stress and anxiety, such as blood pressure, heart rate, 26,29-32 salivary immune globulin A, and salivary cortisol, 33 but majority of the studies report a positive impact on these parameters. A number of studies have found significant reductions in subjective measures of psychological distress after Reiki treatment, 18,19,24,25 with a significant reduction in the levels of psychological anxiety from pre-to post-treatment. Reiki can also be practiced as a self-care treatment by patients 34,35 and amongst people working in health or social services. ...
... Our findings of these perceived benefits are consistent with previous research findings on the benefits of Reiki. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] This is encouraging, as it was one of our primary goals to provide an effective comfort tool for caregivers to use with their children. The self-reports from caregivers about this program serving as a way for them to actively participate in their child's care is also an equally important finding. ...
To explore the feasibility of a Reiki therapy-training program for the caregivers of pediatric medical or oncology inpatients, at a large pediatric hospital, a series of Reiki training classes were offered by a Reiki Master. At completion of the training, an interview was conducted to elicit participant's feedback regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of the training program. Seventeen of the 18 families agreed to participate. Most families (65%) attended three Reiki training sessions, reporting that Reiki benefitted their child by improving their comfort (76%), providing relaxation (88%), and pain relief (41%). All caregivers identified becoming an active participant in their child's care as a major gain from participation in the Reiki training. A hospital-based Reiki training program for caregivers of hospitalized pediatric patients is feasible and can positively impact patients and their families. More rigorous research regarding the benefits of Reiki in the pediatric population is needed.
... Para la comunidad, la importancia es aportar conocimiento sobre el tema, como promover el acceso de más personas a los beneficios que pueden derivarse de esta práctica. (BILLOT et al., 2019;DRESSEN, 1998;OLSON, 1997), pós cirúrgicas (MIDILLIS;ESER, 2015;VANDERVAART;BERGER;TAM, 2011;VITALE;O'CONNOR, 2006;WIRTH et al., 1993) neuropáticas (GILLESPIE; GILLESPIE; STEVENS, 2007) e oncológicas (DEMIR et al., 2015;MICHAUD, 2003;TSANG;CARLSON;OLSON, 2007 Seminários são boas ferramentas para serem utilizadas nos processos de aprendizagem. (2019), os seminários podem culminar com o desenvolvimento de habilidades, tais como discussão, argumentação, oratória e audição, conferindo maior dinamicidade ao processo. ...
O Reiki é uma terapia surgida na cultura japonesa, na qual há a imposição das mãos para canalizar energia vital, com o intuito de melhorar a resposta natural do corpo e auxiliar na recuperação e manutenção da saúde. A partir de 2017 no Brasil, essa prática passou a ser integrada ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e ofertada à população geral de acordo com a ampliação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde. O presente artigo objetiva descrever a implantação do projeto de extensão universitária, Reiki por Amor: Toque Terapêutico. Para tal, os seguintes eixos foram elencados: elaboração de uma rede social para a divulgação no Instagram, envios semanais de Reiki a distância, seminários abertos mensais sobre temas relacionados ao Reiki, produção de vídeos, elaboração de posts em carrossel para a divulgação de informações sobre o Reiki e perspectivas para o projeto. Os projetos de extensão são importantes para os alunos e para a comunidade. No presente projeto, especialmente para os alunos da área da saúde, a importância se destaca para que estes tenham um conhecimento mais aprofundado sobre tais práticas e os seus benefícios. Para a comunidade, a importância consiste em levar conhecimento acerca do tema, tal qual promover o acesso de mais pessoas aos benefícios que podem ser advindos desta prática.
... Il Reiki è una terapia che ha, infatti, come obiettivo quello di fornire energia di guarigione, per ricaricare e riequilibrare i campi energetici umani, creando le condizioni ottimali necessarie per ripristinare il naturale sistema del corpo (Snyder J.R., 1996). Esso si pone nell'ambito della medicina delle energie sottili, ed ha la possibilità non solo di curare la malattia a livello fisico, ma anche di agire sugli elementi psicoenergetici della personalità, promuovendo la reintegrazione e il riallineamento del complesso corpo-mente-spirito (Bullock M., 1997;Olson et al, 1997Olson et al, , 2003Alandydy P. & Alandydy K., 1999;Snyder J.R., 1996). Come tecnica di contatto manuale (Touch Therapy), mediante la quale l'operatore qualificato e abilitato mantiene una presenza meditativa ed attraverso l'imposizione delle mani permette all'energia Reiki di fluire verso il paziente, si può collocare tra le più efficaci tecniche di distensione e rilassamento. ...
Background:
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.
Method:
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.
Results:
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.
Conclusion:
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.
... In terms of common services provided by cancer resource centers, the literature highlights the benefits to the well-being of patients with cancer who engage in yoga (Culos-Reed, Carlson, Daroux, & Hately-Aldous, 2006;Smith & Pukall, 2009), massage therapy (Listing et al., 2009;Sturgeon, Wetta-Hall, Hart, Good, & Dakhil, 2009), and Reiki (Marcus, Blazek-O'Neill, & Kopar, 2013;Olson & Hanson, 1997). As a result, cancer resource centers are fulfilling the needs of patients with cancer for integrative cancer therapies that accompany traditional medical treatments. ...
Background: Cancer resource centers offer patients a variety of therapeutic services. However, patients with cancer and cancer healthcare practitioners may not fully understand the specific objectives and benefits of each service. This research offers guidance to cancer healthcare practitioners on how they can best direct patients to partake in specific integrative therapies, depending on their expressed needs.
Objectives: This article investigates the effects of yoga, massage, and Reiki services administered in a cancer resource center on patients’ sense of personal well-being. The results show how program directors at a cancer resource center can customize therapies to meet the needs of patients’ well-being.
Methods: The experimental design measured whether engaging in yoga, massage, or Reiki services affects the self-perceived well-being of 150 patients at a cancer resource center at two times: before and after each service. Data were analyzed for each well-being outcome using mixed-model analysis of variance.
Findings: All three services helped decrease stress and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance cancer center patrons’ perceived overall health and quality of life in a similar manner. Reiki reduced the pain of patients with cancer to a greater extent than either massage or yoga.
... Previous studies have indicated that Reiki therapy supports opioid therapy in relieving pain by reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life among cancer patients [12,13]. Reiki therapy also has had a positive impact on the management of pain, anxiety, and depression in chronically ill patients [14]. ...
To examine the effects of Reiki as an adjuvant therapy to opioid therapy for postoperative pain control in pediatric patients.
This was a double-blind, randomized controlled study of children undergoing dental procedures. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Reiki therapy or the control therapy (sham Reiki) preoperatively. Postoperative pain scores, opioid requirements, and side effects were assessed. Family members were also asked about perioperative care satisfaction. Multiple linear regressions were used for analysis.
Thirty-eight children participated. The blinding procedure was successful. No statistically significant difference was observed between groups on all outcome measures.
Our study provides a successful example of a blinding procedure for Reiki therapy among children in the perioperative period. This study does not support the effectiveness of Reiki as an adjuvant therapy to opioid therapy for postoperative pain control in pediatric patients.
... Across the United States, hospices and hospitals have begun to value Reiki Healing. The June 1997 issue of Cancer Prevention Control (Olson & Hanson, 1997) shared preliminary results from a controlled study at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada. Twenty volunteers with chronic pain, including pain from cancer, received Reiki treatments from a certified Reiki Level 2 practitioner. ...
Using the innovation-decision process model (Rogers, 2003), the study examines how Reiki users go through various stages before adoption decision and how Reiki masters frame and disseminate this abstract concept. This video ethnographic study interviewed Singapore's Reiki masters and practitioners and observed local healing practices. The findings show Reiki masters use metaphoric languages to associate Reiki healing power with natural forces to make it understandable and believable. Newspapers and magazines are found useful to arouse receivers' awareness and knowledge; however, interpersonal communication, like trials and peer influence, is more influential in persuasion to overcome biases. As for online communication, websites can promote the therapy and create brand awareness, while blogs offer interactivity and answer queries.
... A similar process is seen in the practice of Reiki (from Japan), external Qigong (from China), Polarity Therapy and Therapeutic Touch. There is some evidence that they can all reduce the side effects of cancer and its treatment, and possibly even help to inhibit neoplastic cells (Macek, 1984;Feng et al., 1988;Quizi and Li, 1988;Cohen, 1997;Olson and Hanson, 1997;Shah et al., 1999). ...
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be integrated with conventional Western medicine to enhance the care of patients with cancer . Recent evidence confirms a scientific basis for the use of acupuncture, herbs, diet and energy therapies. We suggest a holistic care plan based on the concepts of biological response modification, enhancement of psycho-immunological function, better symptom control, and improvement of psycho-spirit ual well-being. There is enough preliminary evidence to encourage good quality clinical trials to evaluate the ef ficacy of integrating TCM into Western cancer care.
... Using EMG as well as monitoring salivary IgA levels, anxiety was assessed through muscle tension measurement. Anecdotal reports reveal that Reiki has been widely used during childbirth, surgery and treatment for patients undergoing chemotherapy, pain severity and various other conditions [6][7][8]. Most researches in efficacy studies examine the effectiveness of Reiki for a specific ailment or health condition. Nearly all of the data available has been based upon small pilot studies, which indicates a clear need for further research. ...
For the first time, we have measured EEG signals during Reiki. EEG signals of 30 persons during receiving Reiki in two groups of Reiki and Placebo were collected. Nonlinear features such as fractal dimension, Lyapunov exponent; approximate entropy and phase space plot of data set were extracted. Finally, t-tests were calculated to compare target features. The results showed that there was a significant increase in nonlinear features in the Reiki group compared to the Placebo group and these groups significantly separated from each other. The increases showed the raising of active functional processing in the brain and complexity during the Reiki. The limited amount of fractal dimension and positive Lyapunov exponent in Reiki group compared with the placebo shows that EEG signal has a chaotic behavior. Moreover, we used SVM classifier to separate these groups; the maximum classification accuracy was obtained around 80.5%. We measured the emotional states of the subjects on a Likert scale (from before to after the Reiki) and it was shown that senses of relaxation were increased to a higher degree during Reiki than during the Placebo condition.
... 24 Significant improvements were noted in psychological and physical functioning, including pain relief. 24 Other studies have shown a decrease in postoperative pain 23 and cancer pain 25 after Reiki treatments. ...
The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether chair yoga and Reiki affect pain, depressive mood, and physical function compared with an educational program for older adults with osteoarthritis. Findings showed significant relationships only between physical function and chair yoga. In focus group interviews, participants expressed feelings of improved health and well-being after the yoga intervention. The major limitation of this study was the small sample size.
... Reiki therapy has been provided by professional Reiki therapists in medical centers to improve patient comfort and well-being levels. Demmer (2004) Wetzel, 1989 Improvement in well-being in patients in nursing homes Thomas, 2005 Improvement in well-being in patients with cancer Chong, 2006;Kozachik et al., 2006;Olson et al., 2003;Warber, 2004 Improvement in well-being in patients who have experienced strokes Shifflett et al., 2002 Increase in salivary immune globulin levels Wardell & Engebretson, 2001 Increased sense of physical well-being Mansour et al., 1998;Ring, 2009;Wittes & Dundes, 2001 Patient care comfort Burden et al., 2005 Reduction in anxiety level Wardell & Engebretson, 2001 Reduction in heart rate Mackay et al., 2004 Reduction in pain Olson & Hanson, 1997 Reduction in stress Shore, 2004 Reduction in systolic blood pressure Wardell & Engebretson, 2001 effects reported in any study. Most articles related to Reiki therapy are case studies or qualitative reports (So, Jiang, & Qin, 2008;Winstead-Fry & Kijek, 1999) with small sample sizes or no report of power analysis. ...
To determine whether provision of Reiki therapy during outpatient chemotherapy is associated with increased comfort and well-being.
Double-blind, randomized clinical controlled trial.
Outpatient chemotherapy center.
189 participants were randomized to actual Reiki, sham Reiki placebo, or standard care.
Patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly placed into one of three groups. Patients received either standard care, a placebo, or an actual Reiki therapy treatment. A demographic tool and pre- and post-tests were given before and after chemotherapy infusion.
Reiki therapy, sham Reiki placebo therapy, standard care, and self-reported levels of comfort and well-being pre- and postintervention.
Although Reiki therapy was statistically significant in raising the comfort and well-being of patients post-therapy, the sham Reiki placebo also was statistically significant. Patients in the standard care group did not experience changes in comfort and well-being during their infusion session.
The findings indicate that the presence of an RN providing one-on-one support during chemotherapy was influential in raising comfort and well-being levels, with or without an attempted healing energy field.
An attempt by clinic nurses to provide more designated one-to-one presence and support for patients while receiving their chemotherapy infusions could increase patient comfort and well-being.
... Seven studies examined pain intensity using the VAS, and one used a similar scale, the NRS. Of these eight studies, six studies (three high-quality RCTs, two lower quality RCTs, and one lower quality within-subjects study) noted significant reductions in pain [22][23][24][25][26][27]. Four of these studies were placebo control designs, suggesting that the reductions in pain intensity may be beyond nonspecific effects. ...
Biofield therapies (such as Reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch) are complementary medicine modalities that remain controversial and are utilized by a significant number of patients, with little information regarding their efficacy.
This systematic review examines 66 clinical studies with a variety of biofield therapies in different patient populations.
We conducted a quality assessment as well as a best evidence synthesis approach to examine evidence for biofield therapies in relevant outcomes for different clinical populations.
Studies overall are of medium quality, and generally meet minimum standards for validity of inferences. Biofield therapies show strong evidence for reducing pain intensity in pain populations, and moderate evidence for reducing pain intensity hospitalized and cancer populations. There is moderate evidence for decreasing negative behavioral symptoms in dementia and moderate evidence for decreasing anxiety for hospitalized populations. There is equivocal evidence for biofield therapies' effects on fatigue and quality of life for cancer patients, as well as for comprehensive pain outcomes and affect in pain patients, and for decreasing anxiety in cardiovascular patients.
There is a need for further high-quality studies in this area. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Reiki is an increasingly popular form of complementary therapy. It originated in Japan, and is used to promote relaxation and healing (Rand, 2000). Reiki is a vibrational therapy that is claimed by practioners to be a method of channelling universal life energy (Mansour et al. , 1999). This energy is then claimed to balance the biofield and initiate the body's own healing processes (Miles & True, 2003). The therapy involves the flow and transfer of energy, from the practitioner, to the patient. Often described as the “laying on of hands” (Rand, 2000), patients report feelings of warmth, deep relaxation, sleepiness, happiness, increased spiritual awareness, (Rand, 2000) and improved pain control (Olson et al. , 2003).
Reiki has become popular as an adjunct to conventional medicine (Miles & True, 2003; Olson & Hanson, 1997), and is increasingly being used alongside traditional palliative care for people with serious illnesses (Miles & True, 2003; Wardell & Engebretson, 2001; Neild-Anderson & Ameling, 2000; Mansour et al. , 1999; Bullock, 1997; Olson & Hanson, 1997).
Women in working life have received considerable attention in the last few years
around the world. The voice of women in the media is loud and clear, and it is
certainly not easy any more to disregard issues of equality. This appears to influence
the health of women, as manifested both at the workplace and in their private life. In
this literature, concentrated on health issues important for women and an attempt is
made to predict women’s future prospects. This paper gives different health issues
faced by working women during last few decades. At the end of the paper remedies
and reviews for above concern is given
The use of complementary and alternative therapies is growing year after year, and Reiki therapy takes a place of choice. Reiki therapy, classed as a biofield energy therapy, raises the question of validity when applied to patients, especially in palliative care. The purpose of this review is to highlight the effects of Reiki therapy on pain, anxiety/depression and quality of life of patients, specifically in palliative care. The current article indicates that Reiki therapy is useful for relieving pain, decreasing anxiety/depression and improving quality of life in several conditions. Due to the small number of studies in palliative care, we were unable to clearly identify the benefits of Reiki therapy, but preliminary results tend to show some positive effects of Reiki therapy for the end-of-life population. These results should encourage teams working in palliative care to conduct more studies to determine the benefits of Reiki therapy on pain, anxiety/depression and quality of life in palliative care.
RESUMO O presente estudo tem como objectivo verificar a influência da Terapia de Reiki em Indicadores de Saúde (sinais vitais; Saturação de Oxigénio; Intensidade de Dor; Avaliação de Glicémia capilar). Para a sua concretização realizou-se um estudo de caso, em que se avaliou uma voluntária de 46 anos. Neste sentido, realizaram-se duas sessões em dias não-coincidentes, com duração de 45 minutos cada. Na primeira sessão, a voluntária foi submetida à aplicação de Reiki. Na segunda sessão não foi aplicada nenhuma Terapia de Toque. Cada sessão foi dividida em três momentos, o inicial que corresponde ao momento antes da aplicação da terapia; 30 minutos, após o primeiro momento, que coincide com o terminus da aplicação da Terapia, e o terceiro cerca de 15 minutos depois. A avaliação/ medição dos Indicadores de saúde coincide com estes três momentos. Em ambas as sessões foi utilizada música ambiente que foi obtida através do programa de computador Nature Sound Therapy 3. Os resultados encontrados salientam que a aplicação de Reiki influenciou os resultados dos Indicadores de Saúde e que os resultados são mais evidentes na primeira sessão-onde se aplicou Reiki-do que na segunda sessão. ABSTRACT The following study aims to determine the influence of Reiki therapy in Health Indicators (vital signs, oxygen saturation, intensity of pain, assessment of capillary glycemia), for that reason it was made a clinic study, which evaluated a volunteer for 46 years old. It was realized two sessions, on non-matching days, with duration of 45 minutes each. In the first session, the volunteer was subjected to the application of Reiki. The second session was not applied any of Touch Therapy. Each session was divided into three stages, the initial corresponding to the time before the therapy; 30 minutes after the first stage, that coincides with the terminus of the application of therapy was defined as second stage; and the third about 15 minutes later. The evaluation / measurement of health indicators match with these three stages. In both sessions it was used music that was obtained through the computer sound therapy Nature 3. The results emphasize that the application of Reiki influenced the results of health indicators and that are more evident in the first session, which was applied Reiki, than in the second session.
RESUMO O presente estudo tem como objectivo verificar a influência da Terapia de Reiki em Indicadores de Saúde (sinais vitais; Saturação de Oxigénio; Intensidade de Dor; Avaliação de Glicémia capilar). Para a sua concretização realizou-se um estudo de caso, em que se avaliou uma voluntária de 46 anos. Neste sentido, realizaram-se duas sessões em dias não-coincidentes, com duração de 45 minutos cada. Na primeira sessão, a voluntária foi submetida à aplicação de Reiki. Na segunda sessão não foi aplicada nenhuma Terapia de Toque. Cada sessão foi dividida em três momentos, o inicial que corresponde ao momento antes da aplicação da terapia; 30 minutos, após o primeiro momento, que coincide com o terminus da aplicação da Terapia, e o terceiro cerca de 15 minutos depois. A avaliação/ medição dos Indicadores de saúde coincide com estes três momentos. Em ambas as sessões foi utilizada música ambiente que foi obtida através do programa de computador Nature Sound Therapy 3. Os resultados encontrados salientam que a aplicação de Reiki influenciou os resultados dos Indicadores de Saúde e que os resultados são mais evidentes na primeira sessão-onde se aplicou Reiki-do que na segunda sessão. ABSTRACT The following study aims to determine the influence of Reiki therapy in Health Indicators (vital signs, oxygen saturation, intensity of pain, assessment of capillary glycemia), for that reason it was made a clinic study, which evaluated a volunteer for 46 years old. It was realized two sessions, on non-matching days, with duration of 45 minutes each. In the first session, the volunteer was subjected to the application of Reiki. The second session was not applied any of Touch Therapy. Each session was divided into three stages, the initial corresponding to the time before the therapy; 30 minutes after the first stage, that coincides with the terminus of the application of therapy was defined as second stage; and the third about 15 minutes later. The evaluation / measurement of health indicators match with these three stages. In both sessions it was used music that was obtained through the computer sound therapy Nature 3. The results emphasize that the application of Reiki influenced the results of health indicators and that are more evident in the first session, which was applied Reiki, than in the second session.
Introduction, Rehabilitation has become an increasingly prominent tool for cancer pain management. Generally speaking, rehabilitation may be defined as the process of restoration and maximization of quality of life through enhancing function and mitigating disability. A person's function is influenced by abilities and limitations, and includes domains of physical health, emotional status, intellect/cognition, vocation and vocational activity, social activity, and role fulfillment. The burden of pain is manifested in an individual through suffering but also through impaired function, activity, and alterations in social roles and self-image. Successful pain management can improve mobility, function, and quality of life. Pain management is an important component in the successful rehabilitation of the cancer patient. Pain can limit one's function. Conversely, rehabilitation techniques help reduce and manage pain. The pain management and functional improvement goals are never exclusive and frequently coexist for cancer patients throughout the course of the disease. Functionally oriented efforts may involve the application of strengthening, coordination, balance, and other training exercises; use of therapeutic equipment; and adaptive education. This chapter focuses on interventions directed toward pain management. Some movement-based therapies are used for pain management, although their more frequently recognized benefits are strength, coordination, endurance, and balance. Rehabilitation philosophy The rehabilitation physician's expertise is based on musculoskeletal and neurological anatomy and pathophysiology. Rehabilitation has traditionally been viewed as an intervention used after a chronologically discrete onset of disability, such as may follow a cerebrovascular accident, traumatic spinal cord injury, or amputation.
There is a growing interest in complementary and alternative healing practices among patient/client populations (Barnes & Bloom, 2008). Reiki is a type of energy work that results from a practitioner's hands being placed on or near various locations on a fully clothed person. This energy is believed to increase the body's innate ability to heal, and works in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms, providing a unifying experience. Reiki is being used in various medical settings, among patients presenting with a wide range of diagnoses and conditions, and is especially effective in reducing pain and stress (Miles, 2003). This article describes how Reiki has complemented a Music Therapist's practice in a university teaching hospital for the past 14 years. -Medical Center .
Background: Pain is a global public health problem affecting the lives of large numbers of patients and their families. Touch therapies (Healing Touch (HT), Therapeutic Touch (TT) and Reiki) have been found to relieve pain, but some reviews have suggested there is insufficient evidence to support their use. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of touch therapies (including HT, TT, and Reiki) on relieving both acute and chronic pain; to determine any adverse effect of touch therapies. Search methods: Various electronic databases, including The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and others from their inception to June 2008 were searched. Reference lists and bibliographies of relevant articles and organizations were checked. Experts in touch therapies were contacted. Selection criteria: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs) evaluating the effect of touch on any type of pain were included. Similarly, only studies using a sham placebo or a 'no treatment' control was included. Data collection and analysis: Data was extracted and quality assessment was conducted by two independent review authors. The mean pain intensity for completing all treatment sessions was extracted. Pain intensity from different pain measurement scales were standardized into a single scale. Comparisons between the effects of treatment groups and that of control groups were made. Main results: Twenty four studies involving 1153 participants met the inclusion criteria. There were five, sixteen and three studies on HT, TT and Reiki respectively. Participants exposed to touch had on average of 0.83 units (on a 0 to ten scale) lower pain intensity than unexposed participants (95% Confidence Interval: -1.16 to -0.50). Results of trials conducted by more experienced practitioners appeared to yield greater effects in pain reduction. It is also apparent that these trials yielding greater effects were from the Reiki studies. Whether more experienced practitioners or certain types of touch therapy brought better pain reduction should be further investigated. Two of the five studies evaluating analgesic usage supported the claim that touch therapies minimized analgesic usage. The placebo effect was also explored. No statistically significant (P = 0.29) placebo effect was identified. Authors' conclusions: Touch therapies may have a modest effect in pain relief. More studies on HT and Reiki in relieving pain are needed. More studies including children are also required to evaluate the effect of touch on children.
Reiki se caracteriza por ser una terapia complementar llevado a cabo a través de la imposición de manos en el ser humano con la intención de restablecer el equilibrio físico, mental y espiritual. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar y analizar los beneficios experimentados con la práctica de Reiki, en sujetos ancianos con dolor crónico no oncológica. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio. Para la recolección se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada, con cuestiones abiertas y cerradas. Los datos fueron recogidos entre julio y agosto de 2012. Los sujetos del estudio fueron diez ancianos con quejas de dolor crónico no oncológica, presentó las cinco sesiones de Reiki. Evaluación de resultados se considera el análisis del contenido propuesto por Bardin. Se concluyó que esta práctica terapéutica mejora significativamente las quejas de dolor crónico, además de contribuir al equilibrio de las necesidades físicas, mentales, emocionales y espirituales de los ancianos.
This mixed method, exploratory, sequential study investigated a convenience sample of
nurses (n=142) educated in hospital-endorsed (Reiki and/or aromatherapy/guided
imagery) complementary alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. Many hospitals, in
response to consumer requests, have integrated CAM as services offered for patients.
However, while many nurses are educated in CAM at the study site, the application of a
CAM modality is not always integrated as part of the standard care of the patient, despite
hospital policies and competencies to support the practice. The purpose of the study is to
explore and describe the intrinsic personal factors (socio-demographics and nurses’
attitudes and beliefs) and nurses’ perception of patient receptivity to CAM, extrinsic
situational factors (workload and peer support) and patient factors that influence nurses’
continued use of hospital-endorsed CAM in a mid-Atlantic suburban hospital. Phase one
of the study was two qualitative focus groups (n = 10) and the results of the focus group
were used to inform the development of a survey, which was then pilot tested (n =3)
using cognitive interviewing. Phase two of the study was the administration of the
survey (n = 132). There was an 81.8% response rate for the surveys. Qualitative data
was analyzed using grounded principles. There were four themes that emerged. Survey
data was analyzed using a negative binomial regression model. Results showed that the
continuation of CAM practices for patients was dependent upon the intrinsic variable,
nurses’ use of CAM for self-care. The extrinsic variables for peer support (have you
received a treatment from a peer and/or have you give a treatment to a peer) were
significant for nurses’ use of CAM for self-care. The study offers practical steps for
implications for nursing practice, education, and research.
Keywords: Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and nurses, nurses’ use
and CAM, holistic care, nurses’ attitudes and/or beliefs, barriers and CAM, health belief,
nurses’ decision-making, and pain medication/attitudes of nurses.
Reiki is an ancient hands-on healing art that is used today as a modern healing intervention. In modern nomenclature, Reiki is classified as an alternative, complementary, or integrative method or therapy. And along with other such therapies, it is capturing the attention of the public because of the number of people who are using alternative methods that are outside of what is considered mainstream medicine. This nomenclature is bothersome for a healing art that is thousands of years old and predates medicine, nursing, and all such healing professions. Reiki is receiving recognition, because along with all the 'alternative' methods, the present allopathic healthcare system is failing and the public to whom it serves is seeking and demanding other avenues for holistic, caring, person-centered health care. In this changing healthcare arena Reiki and other ancient healing arts are finally gaining the attention that is rightly deserved. In this article the history of Reiki, research in Reiki, Reiki case studies, the use of Reiki as a nursing intervention, and the implications for the use of Reiki in advanced practice nursing are presented. History of Reiki Reiki is a Japanese word that translates as 'God Light Energy.' Rei is directly translated as God or light. It is used to describe the whole of creation-every cell, blade of grass, stone, tree, animal, human, every planet and star. It goes further to describe the mind of God. An accurate interpretation of the word Rei could be 'All That Is,' both in thought and form. Ki is the name given to the vital energy that is used to animate and give life to this creation. Just as a model car requires batteries to make it move, so the complex creation of the universe requires a form of energy to animate it. This energy, also known as chi or prana, can be viewed as an ocean that surrounds the physical universe. It provides us with the vitality we require to maintain our health, balance, and well being on all levels-physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual (Ellis, 1999, p. 14).
Creating a healing and healthy environment for patients, families, and staff is an ongoing challenge. As part of our hospital's Integrative Care Program, a Reiki Volunteer Program has helped to foster a caring and healing environment, providing a means for patients, family, and staff to reduce pain and anxiety and improve their ability to relax and be present. Because direct care providers manage multiple and competing needs at any given time, they may not be available to provide Reiki when it is needed. This program demonstrates that a volunteer-based program can successfully support nurses in meeting patient, family, and staff demand for Reiki services.
Traditional psychotherapy currently tends to advocate for the exclusion of physical touch in the therapeutic context, as an attempt to address the issue of physical and emotional safety for the client and mitigate ethical and legal concerns. However, throughout human history touch has been an important factor in physical, psychological, and emotional healing processes. The authors of this article examine the current implementation of couple therapy modalities and discuss the benefits that Reiki, a biofield touch therapy, could offer in conjunction with traditional couple therapy.
Three complementary approaches for managing physical and psychological symptoms related to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy were evaluated against an education-only control arm. This study included 26 participants who were randomly assigned to weekly, hour-long sessions of yoga, Reiki, meditation, or an educational control experience for 6 weeks. Each participant completed pre–post measures of neurotoxicity, quality of life, psychological distress, and mindfulness. Descriptive analysis of the data indicated that all experimental group participants demonstrated improved within-group scores on quality of life and neurotoxicity outcomes following intervention; however, the improvements were not statistically significant. Neurotoxicity worsened significantly in the control group, but there were no pre–post changes with respect to quality of life, psychological distress, or mindfulness. Effect sizes were large with respect to meditation and mindfulness and with Reiki and psychological distress. Moderate effect sizes with respect to yoga and neurotoxicity and quality of life offer promise for all 3 interventions in managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be integrated with conventional Western medicine to enhance the care of patients with cancer. Recent evidence confirms a scientific basis for the use of acupuncture, herbs, diet and energy therapies. We suggest a holistic care plan based on the concepts of biological response modification, enhancement of psychoimmunological function, better symptom control and improvement of psychospiritual wellbeing. There is enough preliminary evidence to encourage good quality clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of integrating TCM into Western cancer care.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has begun to identify, define, and categorize complementary and alternative healing practices. The purpose of this article is to explore approaches of health and healing that are based on the assumption that subtle energy fields exist within and around the human body. Basic theories, rationales, and evidence for Qigong, Polarity Therapy, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch will be reviewed. Applications and implications for the physical and occupational therapist working with older adults will also be discussed.
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.
In this paper we present a review of the evidences related to a hands-on method of biofield medicine already performed on a daily basis in major US hospitals like the Brigham and Women hospital of Boston and the three Mayo Clinics. Empirical observation of the benefits has now been replaced by evidence based trials. These trials aim to provide the level of confidence needed to deploy this kind of holistic approach to an ever increasing population of patients searching for more than just allopathic treatments. Benefits of the surrender method are not only clinical but also lead to organizational and financial improvement of hospital patient support by increasing psychobiological well-being through interventions and diminishing complications and length of stay.
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most frequently reported side effect of cancer and its treatment. In previous research, Polarity Therapy (PT), an energy therapy, was shown to reduce CRF in patients receiving radiation. This study reports on a small randomized clinical trial designed to collect preliminary data on the efficacy of PT compared with an active control (massage) and passive control (standard care) for CRF among cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.
Forty-five women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer were randomized to 1 of 3 weekly treatment conditions. Patients received standard clinical care, 3 modified massages, or 3 PT treatments. CRF and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were assessed during baseline and the 3 intervention weeks.
TResults show CRF ratings were reduced after PT. The effect sizes for PT versus modified massage and versus standard care were small when using the primary measure of CRF (Brief Fatigue Inventory) and large when using the secondary measure of CRF (Daily CRF Diaries).The effect size was medium when assessing the benefit of PT on maintaining HRQL compared with standard care with very little difference between the PT and modified massage conditions. Patients' feedback showed that both the modified massage and PT treatments were deemed useful by radiation patients.
The present pilot randomized clinical trial supports previous experimental research showing that PT, a noninvasive and gentle energy therapy, may be effective in controlling CRF. Further confirmatory studies as well as investigations of the possible mechanisms of PT are warranted.
This article includes a review of the literature on research related to energy healing and pain from 1980 through 2008. The types of energy healing considered include Reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch. There has been limited research testing these holistic interventions and their effect on pain even though there is attention to the modalities in the nursing practice literature. Recommendations for future research include studies with larger and diverse samples and comparisons among the various modalities.
This pilot study examined the use of Reiki prior to colonoscopy to reduce anxiety and minimize intraprocedure medications compared with usual care. A prospective, nonblinded, partially randomized patient preference design was employed using 21 subjects undergoing colonoscopy for the first time. Symptoms of anxiety and pain were assessed using a Likert-type scale. Between-group differences were assessed using chi-square analyses and analysis of variance. There were no differences between the control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 11) groups on age (mean = 58 years, SD = 8.5) and gender (53% women). The experimental group had higher anxiety (4.5 vs. 2.6, p = .03) and pain (0.8 vs. 0.2, p = .42) scores prior to colonoscopy. The Reiki intervention reduced mean heart rate (-9 beats/minute), systolic blood pressure (-10 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (-4 mmHg), and respirations (-3 breaths/minute). There were no between-group differences on intraprocedure medication use or postprocedure physiologic measures. Although the experimental group patients had more symptoms, they did not require additional pain medication during the procedure, suggesting that (1) anxious people may benefit from an adjunctive therapy; (2) anxiety and pain are decreased by Reiki therapy for patients undergoing colonoscopy, and (3) additional intraprocedure pain medication may not be needed for colonoscopy patients receiving Reiki therapy. This pilot study provided important insights in preparation for a rigorous, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
Pain is a global public health problem affecting the lives of large numbers of patients and their families. Touch therapies (Healing Touch (HT), Therapeutic Touch (TT) and Reiki) have been found to relieve pain, but some reviews have suggested there is insufficient evidence to support their use.
To evaluate the effectiveness of touch therapies (including HT, TT, and Reiki) on relieving both acute and chronic pain; to determine any adverse effect of touch therapies.
Various electronic databases, including The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and others from their inception to June 2008 were searched. Reference lists and bibliographies of relevant articles and organizations were checked. Experts in touch therapies were contacted.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs) evaluating the effect of touch on any type of pain were included. Similarly, only studies using a sham placebo or a 'no treatment' control was included.
Data was extracted and quality assessment was conducted by two independent review authors. The mean pain intensity for completing all treatment sessions was extracted. Pain intensity from different pain measurement scales were standardized into a single scale. Comparisons between the effects of treatment groups and that of control groups were made.
Twenty four studies involving 1153 participants met the inclusion criteria. There were five, sixteen and three studies on HT, TT and Reiki respectively. Participants exposed to touch had on average of 0.83 units (on a 0 to ten scale) lower pain intensity than unexposed participants (95% Confidence Interval: -1.16 to -0.50). Results of trials conducted by more experienced practitioners appeared to yield greater effects in pain reduction. It is also apparent that these trials yielding greater effects were from the Reiki studies. Whether more experienced practitioners or certain types of touch therapy brought better pain reduction should be further investigated. Two of the five studies evaluating analgesic usage supported the claim that touch therapies minimized analgesic usage. The placebo effect was also explored. No statistically significant (P = 0.29) placebo effect was identified.
Touch therapies may have a modest effect in pain relief. More studies on HT and Reiki in relieving pain are needed. More studies including children are also required to evaluate the effect of touch on children.
Recent evidence suggests that many traditional Chinese medical therapies are effective for the supportive care of cancer patients. This is a review of some of the published literature (indexed in Medline) and our own practical experience. It is not intended to be a systematic review, but does provide various levels of evidence which support further research into a developing model of integrative care. The holistic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may be integrated into conventional Western Medicine to supplement deficiencies in the current biomedical model. The philosophy of TCM proposes novel hypotheses which will support the development of a science-based holistic medicine.
Occupational health nurses have the opportunity to work effectively with employees in the area of complementary and alternative health care. The above Sidebar summarizes important points related to the occupational health nurse's role in this rapidly growing aspect of health care delivery.
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