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Endoscopic Procedure With a Modified Reiki Intervention
Abstract
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.
... Algunos estudios han investigado los efectos del Reiki en la salud y mostraron efectos beneficiosos, como disminución de la presión de la sangre (5,6) , ansiedad y estrés (8,9) , dolor (9) y pulso (9,10) . Como los efectos de Reiki sobre los fenómenos objetivamente medidos han sido descritos por la literatura científica, se cree que sus efectos sobre los fenómenos subjetivos, incluyendo las respuestas emocionales y juicios globales de satisfacción con la vida, también deben ser investigados. ...
... Algunos estudios han investigado los efectos del Reiki en la salud y mostraron efectos beneficiosos, como disminución de la presión de la sangre (5,6) , ansiedad y estrés (8,9) , dolor (9) y pulso (9,10) . Como los efectos de Reiki sobre los fenómenos objetivamente medidos han sido descritos por la literatura científica, se cree que sus efectos sobre los fenómenos subjetivos, incluyendo las respuestas emocionales y juicios globales de satisfacción con la vida, también deben ser investigados. ...
... Algunos estudios han investigado los efectos del Reiki en la salud y mostraron efectos beneficiosos, como disminución de la presión de la sangre (5,6) , ansiedad y estrés (8,9) , dolor (9) y pulso (9,10) . Como los efectos de Reiki sobre los fenómenos objetivamente medidos han sido descritos por la literatura científica, se cree que sus efectos sobre los fenómenos subjetivos, incluyendo las respuestas emocionales y juicios globales de satisfacción con la vida, también deben ser investigados. ...
Objective: Evaluate the effect of Reiki on subjective well-being of people seeking this therapy. Methods: Experimental study conducted with 60 subjects were allocated to intervention (Reiki) and control groups (induction concentration without energy manipulation). We used the Escala de Bem-Estar Subjetivo, which had the mean scores of its three dimensions - life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect - compared between groups by submitting them to the Student's t test with level 5 % of statistical significance. Results: After follow-up of 21 days and submitted to three therapeutic sessions, Reiki enhanced the positive affect scale (p = 0,01) of indivuduals without, however, influence negative affect dimensions and life satisfaction of subjective well-being. Conclusion: Reiki enhances the positive effect of subjective well-being of people seeking this therapy.
... 48,49 For example, Reiki treatment improved physiologic measures of anxiety among adults who underwent screening colonoscopy. 50 Similarly, among older adults with pain, anxiety, or depression, Reiki treatment improved relaxation, comfort, mood, and anxiety. 51 Four weekly Reiki treatments significantly improved mental functioning and memory in a small study of older adults. ...
... 48,49 For example, Reiki treatment improved physiologic measures of anxiety among adults who underwent screening colonoscopy. 50 Similarly, among older adults with pain, anxiety, or depression, Reiki treatment improved relaxation, comfort, mood, and anxiety. 51 Four weekly Reiki treatments significantly improved mental functioning and memory in a small study of older adults. ...
... Content analysis of treatment notes and interviews revealed five broad categories of responses: Relaxation; Improved Physical Symptoms, Mood, and Well-Being; Curiosity and a Desire to Learn More; Enhanced Self-Care; and Sensory and Cognitive Responses to Reiki. [23] This pilot study examined the use of Reiki prior to colonoscopy to reduce anxiety and minimize intraprocedure medications compared with usual care. ...
Reiki 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.
... Five of the 12 did not fully meet the inclusion criteria. One article was a one-page preliminary report (Miles, 2003), a second used a convenience sample with no randomization or control (Birocco et al., 2011), a third used a semi-randomized patient preference design (Hulse, Stuart-Shor, & Russo, 2010), a fourth used a four-group design with a combination of Reiki and sham Reiki and no control (Assefi, Bogart, Goldberg, & Buchwald, 2008) and the fifth included a control group that was different from the stated design and the two experimental groups (Park, McCaffrey, Dunn, & Goodman, 2011). The remaining seven studies met the inclusion criteria for review as determined by both authors (Beard et al., 2011;Gillespie, Gillespie, & Stevens, 2007;) (see Table 7). ...
Complementary therapies are chosen by parents of children receiving palliative care to augment the use of traditional medications for symptom management without the increased side effects additional medications may bring. Pain and anxiety are common symptoms for children receiving palliative care. Reiki therapy is a light touch therapy that has been examined in adults but not with children until recently. This dissertation addresses the evidence for complementary therapies for children experiencing pain and anxiety, Reiki therapy for pain and anxiety in adults, and evidence based complementary therapies for young children considering developmental stage. The main study is a quasi-experimental mixed methods pilot study design examining the acceptability and the feasibility of a Reiki therapy intervention for children ages 7 to 16 years receiving palliative care. We measured pain, anxiety, and relaxation operationalized as heart and respiratory rates pre and post Reiki therapy interventions at each of two home visits. We completed a structured interview separately with parents and children to elicit their views on the Reiki therapy experience. Paired student t-tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests were calculated comparing the pre and post Reiki scores separately for verbal and non-verbal children for each treatment, over the entire intervention, and independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney tests comparing children based on demographic variables. We approached 24 child-parent dyads, 21 (87.5%) agreed to participate and signed consents while 3 (12.5%) declined to participate. Of the 21 dyads, 16 completed the study (eight verbal and eight non-verbal children). Statistical significance was obtained for verbal children for heart rate for treatment two (t=3.550, p = 0.009) and for nonverbal children for pain for treatment two (Z = -2.023, p = 0.063); however effect sizes using Cohen’s d levels were medium to large for both verbal and non-verbal children for pain and anxiety. Children and their parents told us their experiences with Reiki therapy. Themes found in interviews augment the quantitative results. Themes included Feeling Better, Hard to Judge, and Still Going On, which helped clarify the quantitative results. Results support further study of Reiki therapy for symptom management in children.
... Five of the 12 did not fully meet the inclusion criteria. One article was a one-page preliminary report (Miles, 2003), a second used a convenience sample with no randomization or control (Birocco et al., 2011), a third used a semirandomized patient preference design (Hulse, Stuart-Shor, & Russo, 2010), a fourth used a four-group design with a combination of Reiki and sham Reiki and no control (Assefi, Bogart, Goldberg, & Buchwald, 2008) and the fifth included a control group that was different from the stated design and the two experimental groups (Park, McCaffrey, Dunn, & Goodman, 2011). The remaining seven studies met the inclusion criteria for review as determined by both authors (Beard et al., 2011;Gillespie, Gillespie, & Stevens, 2007;Olson, Hanson, & Michaud, 2003;Potter, 2007;Richeson, Spross, Lutz, & Peng, 2010;Tsang, Carlson, & Olson, 2007;Vitale & O'Connor, 2006) (see Table 1). ...
The objective of this study was to calculate the effect of Reiki therapy for pain and anxiety in randomized clinical trials. A systematic search of PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, Global Health, and Medline databases was conducted using the search terms pain, anxiety, and Reiki. The Center for Reiki Research also was examined for articles. Studies that used randomization and a control or usual care group, used Reiki therapy in one arm of the study, were published in 2000 or later in peer-reviewed journals in English, and measured pain or anxiety were included. After removing duplicates, 49 articles were examined and 12 articles received full review. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria: four articles studied cancer patients, one examined post-surgical patients, and two analyzed community dwelling older adults. Effect sizes were calculated for all studies using Cohen's d statistic. Effect sizes for within group differences ranged from d = 0.24 for decrease in anxiety in women undergoing breast biopsy to d = 2.08 for decreased pain in community dwelling adults. The between group differences ranged from d = 0.32 for decrease of pain in a Reiki versus rest intervention for cancer patients to d = 4.5 for decrease in pain in community dwelling adults. Although the number of studies is limited, based on the size Cohen's d statistics calculated in this review, there is evidence to suggest that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety. Continued research using Reiki therapy with larger sample sizes, consistently randomized groups, and standardized treatment protocols is recommended.
... En enfermería los ECA son aún insuficientes, pero han ido aumentando a medida que las enfermeras y enfermeros adquieren los conocimientos necesarios. Para ejemplificar la variedad de intervenciones que pueden ser estudiadas con un diseño experimental en enfermería se ejemplifican algunos recientes ECA publicados: intervención de empoderamiento en salud (28) , contacto piel a piel posterior a parto vaginal (29) , efecto del Reiki para la ansiedad previo a colonoscopia (30) . En Sudamérica hay algunos ECA que se han realizado en intervenciones como cateterismo vascular en neonatos (31) , alternativas de apósitos y duración de accesos venosos (32) y métodos de aspiración en pacientes en ventilación mecánica (33) , entre otros. ...
The randomized controlled clinical trial is the most rigorous research method for studying interventions. In these studies, the researcher is interested in determining whether a causal relationship exists between intervention(s) and outcome(s). This is determined by comparing groups of individuals with different exposure to the intervention, and thus determining the effectiveness of the intervention, or lack thereof. Today this is recognized as one of the best levels of evidence related to Evidence-Based Nursing. In this context, this article presents the main characteristics of clinical trials, their conduct, considerations necessary for implementation, and their limitations. The goal is to encourage the use of clinical trials for applying nursing interventions. This is especially relevant, given that from the empirical point of view, they provide the best basis for evidence based nursing.
Purpose
This study's aim is to determine the effect of Reiki when applied before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on levels of anxiety, stress, and comfort.
Design
This single-blind, a pretest and post-test design, randomized, sham-controlled study was held between February and July 2021.
Methods
Patients who met the inclusion criteria were separated by randomization into three groups: Reiki, sham Reiki, and control. A total of 159 patients participated in the study. In the intervention groups (Reiki and sham Reiki), Reiki and sham Reiki were applied once for approximately 20 to 25 minutes before gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Findings
When the Reiki group was compared to the sham Reiki and control groups following the intervention, the decrease in the levels of patient stress (P < .001) and anxiety (P < .001) and the increase in patient comfort (P < .001) were found to be statistically significant.
Conclusions
Reiki applied to patients before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was effective in reducing stress and anxiety and in increasing comfort.
Keywords
anxiety; comfort; endoscopy; nursing; Reiki; stress
Objective: Due to the increasing use and tendency to complementary therapies, they can be used to relieve pain and reduce anxiety and stress in patients. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effect of Reiki therapy on the control of pain, anxiety and stress.
Methods: This is a systematic review. A search was conducted on clinical trials published from 2016 to 2019 in databases such as SID, MagIran, Pubmed, Nursing Consult, Elsevier, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar using the keywords Pain, Reiki, Anxiety, Stress, and Randomized Clinical Trial.
Results: Initial search yielded 154 articles. Of these, 131 were excluded due to not meeting the inclusion criteria, and finally 23 eligible clinical trials were selected for analysis.
Conclusion: The use of complementary therapies, including Reiki therapy, has different results in different people. It is recommended to perform various studies in different countries to evaluate the effectiveness of reiki therapy.
Finns det vetenskap och beprövad erfarenhet bakom Reiki? I studien beskrivs hur Reiki används inom klinisk vård och vad det finns för vetenskaplig grund för metoden.
This chapter focuses on the role that intentional touch therapies play in supporting women through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, including learned labor support techniques, massage therapy, and the energy therapies of Therapeutic Touch (TT), Healing Touch (HT), and Reiki. With the advent of increased awareness of integrative modalities and research to support integrative therapy use, all touch therapies can be reexamined within the context of clinical practice. The introduction of touch therapies into clinical practice not only adds another dimension to hands-on care but also invites a reconceptualization of intentional touch. The chapter ends with three case studies. Each case study illustrates the role that touch therapies play in providing comfort and support, reducing the normal stressors that accompany pregnancy and childbirth.
This review article aimed to identify the scientific literature on Reiki Therapy in the ScIELO, LILACS and MEDLINE databases, using the descriptors 'Reiki' and 'complementary therapies'. The variables considered were year of publication, full text available, country, journal, and number of authors. It was found that the studies were recorded predominantly in MEDLINE (41; 87.23%), published in 2003(10; 21.27%) and 2010(6; 12.78%), most articles appeared only as abstract (29; 61.70%), the foremost country was United States (41; 87.23%) and the journal, Holistic Nursing Practice (6; 12.77%). It is concluded that quantitative research on this subject is still incipient in Brazil, indicating a need to continue investigating the use of Reiki and its impact, using scientific method and larger samples, to establish a body of data that justifies its validity as therapy.
This prospective pilot study was implemented to determine whether a Healing Touch (HT) treatment postoperatively would have an effect on pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and pulse rate in adult postoperative outpatients. Using a randomized control trial design, participants were assigned to a control or intervention group. The control group received traditional nursing care (TNC), and the intervention group received a HT treatment in addition to TNC. Pre- and postdata collection included measurement of pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and pulse. HT treatment was at least as effective as TNC for reduction in pain and more effective in reducing anxiety. Posttreatment anxiety ratings in the intervention group had a significant decrease (0.55; p = .029), while the reduction in anxiety in the control group was not significant (0.25; p = .22). Neither group showed any difference pre- versus posttreatment in blood pressure or pulse. The intervention group had a decrease in pain rating of 1.0 (p < .001), and the control group had a decrease of 0.64 (p = .02). There was a trend toward a decrease in the use of narcotics with HT. HT is an appropriate modality to decrease anxiety, may be appropriate for pain reduction, and may decrease the amount of narcotics needed postoperatively. Patient comments reflected the relaxing effects of receiving HT. The findings support the use of HT as an effective complementary intervention for surgical outpatients, however additional research is recommended.
Reiki is a complementary therapy, characterized by the laying on of hands in the human being with the aim of re-establish the physical, mental and spiritual balance. This work involves identifying the scientific production on complementary therapy; reiki from a narrative review of literature, research conducted through a search of the Virtual Health Library (BVS), between the years 2007 to 2012. It was found a total of 398 articles, indexed in MEDLINE, LILACS and BDENF, using the descriptors reiki and nursing and reiki and care. It was included 6 articles in this study, 1 published in Brazilian periodical and 5 in foreign ones. It is available only the abstract in English. It is find that, of the articles analyzed, we can affirm that the reiki, while care device, causes significant changes in the individual, especially in relation to anxiety, pain, stress, increase defense cells and decreased blood pressure. Few studies have been published to demonstrate the effectiveness of reiki, is fundamental in the practice of nursing and thus of the most importance that the professional take into account this care tool and then can publish their experiences and studies, because the more published studies more motivation will be created to put into practice this device so important for the balance of the human being.
Objective
Determining the immediate effect of Reiki on abnormal blood pressure.
Methods
An experimental, double-blind study, in which were included 66 hypertensive patients, randomized to the three following study groups: control, placebo and experimental. The intervention lasted 20 minutes, the control group remained at rest, the placebo group received an imitation of the studied technique (mock Reiki) and the experimental group received the Reiki technique. Blood pressure was measured before and after the intervention by the same person with the same instrument.
Results
There was a decrease in blood pressure in the three groups and the reduction was greater in the experimental group, followed by the placebo and the control group. The ANOVA model for repeated measures showed a statistically significant difference among the groups (p <0.0001).
Conclusion
Reiki had a positive effect on reducing abnormal blood pressure, suggesting to be a complementary technique for the control of hypertension.
Reiki es una terapia complementaria, caracterizada por la imposición de manos en el ser humano como un objetivo para restablecer el equilibrio físico, mental y espiritual. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo identificar la producción científica en terapia complementaria reiki, mediante una revisiónReiki es una terapia complementaria, caracterizada por la imposición de manos en el ser humano como un objetivo para restablecer el equilibrio físico, mental y espiritual. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo identificar la producción científica en terapia complementaria reiki, mediante una revisión narrativa de la literatura, realizada a través de una búsqueda de la salud Biblioteca Virtual (BVS), entre los años 2007 y 2012. Se detectó un total de 398 artículos, indexados en MEDLINE, LILACS y BDENF, utilizando los descriptores reiki and enfermería y reiki and cuidado. S incluyeron en este estudio 6 artículos, 1 publicado en periódico brasileño y 5 en periódicos extranjeros, disponible solamente el resumen en inglés. Se constató que, de los artículos analizados, se puede afirmar que el reiki, en cuanto que dispositivo de cuidado, provoca cambios significativos en el individuo, especialmente en lo referente a la ansiedad, dolor, estrés, aumento de células de defensa y disminución de la presión arterial. Pocos estudios han sido publicados para demostrar la eficacia del reiki, fundamental en la práctica de enfermería, y por lo tanto de suma importancia disponer de esta herramienta de cuidado, pudiendo asi publicar sus experiencias y estudios, pues cuantos más estudios se publiquen más motivación hay para poner en práctica este dispositivo tan importante para el equilibrio del ser humano.
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.
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 aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative sleep patterns in-patients scheduled for elective endoscopic surgery and
to compare sleep characteristics before different types of endoscopic procedures. A prospective survey cohort study (Canadian
Task Force classification II-2) was designed to evaluate quantitative and qualitative (score 1–7) sleep parameters. Patients
completed sleep-monitoring forms on the baseline (6weeks before surgery), two nights (night-2), and the night before surgery
(night-1). Of a total 119 women, 73 (61%) underwent laparoscopies and 46 (39%) hysteroscopies. Forty-seven (40%) operations
involved organ removal and 72 (60%) were reconstructive surgery. The mean overall sleep-quality score on night-1 (3.29 ± 0.15)
was higher (worse) than on baseline (2.09 ± 0.10, P < 0.0001) and night-2 (2.45 ± 0.11, P < 0.001, respectively). Patients reported more difficulty falling asleep on night-1 (2.53 ± 0.15) than on baseline (1.61 ± 0.09,
P < 0.0001) and night-2 (1.84 ± 0.12, P = 0.001, respectively). The mean number of nocturnal awaking events was also highest on night-1 (1.52 ± 0.17) than on baseline
(0.69 ± 0.09, P < 0.001) and night-2 (0.87 ± 0.09, P < 0.05 respectively). Using logistic regression, we found that age, stress level, and time before surgery (baseline, night-2,
night-1), were significant predictors of poor sleep. The type of planned surgery did not influence the quality of sleep. Falling
asleep on night-1 took longer than on baseline and night-2. There was no difference in the sleep quality measures between
the baseline and night-2. Poor sleep quality is common mainly in the night before surgery. The nature and extent of planned
surgery do not affect sleep quality variables.
KeywordsSleep–Gynecologic surgery–Surgery–Preoperative
Healing therapies which employ touch and are based on the premise of a human energy field are gaiping in popularity and support. Reiki, a Tibetan healing art, is one such modality. But Reiki has not yet been submitted to close scientific scrutiny. Using Krieger's protocol for hemoglobin studies within the context of Therapeutic Touch, forty-eight adults participating in First Degree Reiki Training were tested. Findings revealed a statistically significant change in the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of the participants at the P =.01 level. A comparable control group, not experiencing the training, demonstrated no change within an identical time frame. Further research is necessary to clarify the physiologic effects of touch healing.
Biological correlates of Reiki Touchsm healing
Background. Despite the popularity of touch therapies, theoretical understanding of the mechanisms of effect is not well developed and there is limited research measuring biological outcomes.
Aims. The aim of this study was to test a framework of relaxation or stress reduction as a mechanism of touch therapy.
Methods. The study was conducted in 1996 and involved the examination of select physiological and biochemical effects and the experience of 30 minutes of Reiki, a form of touch therapy. A single group repeated measure design was used to study Reiki Touch’ssm effects with a convenience sample of 23 essentially healthy subjects. Biological markers related to stress-reduction response included state anxiety, salivary IgA and cortisol, blood pressure, galvanic skin response (GSR), muscle tension and skin temperature. Data were collected before, during and immediately after the session.
Results. Comparing before and after measures, anxiety was significantly reduced, t(22)=2·45, P=0·02. Salivary IgA levels rose significantly, t(19)=2·33, P=0·03, however, salivary cortisol was not statistically significant. There was a significant drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP), F(2, 44)=6·60, P < 0·01. Skin temperature increased and electromyograph (EMG) decreased during the treatment, but before and after differences were not significant.
Conclusions. These findings suggest both biochemical and physiological changes in the direction of relaxation. The salivary IgA findings warrant further study to explore the effects of human TT and humeral immune function.
The authors investigated music as a method to reduce ambulatory surgery patients' preoperative anxiety. They assigned 42 patients to either an experimental or a control group and compared the patients' vital signs and self-reports of anxiety, which were measured using the state portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The study results indicate that music can be more beneficial than preoperative instruction alone in reducing ambulatory surgery patients' anxiety. Patients who listened to their choice of music before surgery in addition to receiving preoperative instruction had significantly lower heart rates than patients in the control group who received only preoperative instruction. Differences in experimental and control group patients' blood pressure measurements and respiratory rates approached significance. The authors suggest that perioperative nurses offer music as a viable option to reduce anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients who believe music is a method of relaxation.
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.
To study the effect of music on state anxiety levels in patients undergoing flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB).
Randomized clinical trial using pretests, posttests, and two groups.
Pulmonary special-procedures unit of a tertiary-care referral center.
Sixty adult patients: 30 patients received music during bronchoscopy and 30 control subjects received no music.
The study population had baseline state anxiety levels similar to those previously reported in surgical patients (42.6 +/- 13 vs 42.7 +/- 14; p value, not significant [NS]) and higher than those reported in normal working adults (42.6 +/- 13 vs 34.4 +/- 10; p < 0.001). Experimental and control groups were similar in patient and procedure-related characteristics and baseline pre-FFB state and trait anxiety scores. Although trait anxiety scores decreased significantly after the procedure (pooled post-FFB scores of 32.6 +/- 10 vs pre-FFB scores of 35.5 +/- 11; p < 0.001), no reductions were noted in state anxiety (pooled post-FFB scores of 42.8 +/- 13 vs pre-FFB scores of 42.6 +/- 13; p value, NS). More importantly, playing music through headphones during FFB did not result in a statistically or clinically significant reduction in either state or trait anxiety when compared to control subjects.
Relaxation music administered through headphones to patients during flexible bronchoscopy does not decrease procedure-related state anxiety.
The incorporation of complementary therapies into the surgical setting has been slow compared to that of other areas of conventional medicine. This paper summarizes the available information on complementary therapies in surgery from a broad range of sources in the medical literature. The effects of psychological distress on the surgical patient and potential relief from that distress by such methods as relaxation techniques, hypnosis, suggestion, and imagery, as well as the role of coping style and locus of control on choice of therapy are reviewed. The role of acupuncture, music, massage therapy, therapeutic touch, and Reiki, as well as the use of herbs and supplements in modifying surgical outcome, is explored.
This article reviews holistic caring-healing therapies that may decrease preoperative anxiety for the surgical patient, based on the philosophy and science of caring developed by Jean Watson, RN, PhD, FAAN. Dr Watson reveals a new paradigm emerging in health care that blends the compassion and caring of nursing in harmony with the curative therapies of medicine. Hypnosis, aromatherapy, music, guided imagery, and massage are integrative caring-healing therapies that may minimize preoperative anxiety. Alternative therapies offer a high-touch balance when integrated with high-tech conventional surgical treatments.
A gastrointestinal examination can be frightening to patients. Abnormally elevated blood pressure and pulse caused by anxiety often are present on admission to the hospital. These elevated vital signs are then used as the baseline vital signs for the patient's hospital stay. The first purpose of this study was to determine whether vital signs are elevated because of anxiety on admission to the hospital and how much they decrease after sedation. The second purpose of this study was to explore the effect of instruction about relaxation and the use of music relaxation audio tapes in decreasing patient anxiety. Patients undergoing endoscopic examinations for the first time were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the treatment group were given brief instructions in relaxation and provided with an audio tape player and relaxation music. Statistical analysis using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) comparing differences between control and treatment groups over time showed that there was a significant main effect for diastolic blood pressure. Subjects in the treatment group had significantly lower blood pressures throughout the entire GI procedure. There was no significant difference between groups regarding the amount of medication used. Music combined with relaxation is an inexpensive nursing intervention for patients in relaxing during a GI examination.
Despite the popularity of touch therapies, theoretical understanding of the mechanisms of effect is not well developed and there is limited research measuring biological outcomes.
The aim of this study was to test a framework of relaxation or stress reduction as a mechanism of touch therapy.
The study was conducted in 1996 and involved the examination of select physiological and biochemical effects and the experience of 30 minutes of Reiki, a form of touch therapy. A single group repeated measure design was used to study Reiki Touch'ssm effects with a convenience sample of 23 essentially healthy subjects. Biological markers related to stress-reduction response included state anxiety, salivary IgA and cortisol, blood pressure, galvanic skin response (GSR), muscle tension and skin temperature. Data were collected before, during and immediately after the session.
Comparing before and after measures, anxiety was significantly reduced, t(22)=2.45, P=0.02. Salivary IgA levels rose significantly, t(19)=2.33, P=0.03, however, salivary cortisol was not statistically significant. There was a significant drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP), F(2, 44)=6.60, P < 0.01. Skin temperature increased and electromyograph (EMG) decreased during the treatment, but before and after differences were not significant.
These findings suggest both biochemical and physiological changes in the direction of relaxation. The salivary IgA findings warrant further study to explore the effects of human TT and humeral immune function.
Over the past few decades there has been a growing interest in the use of music, which has seen it used to achieve a diverse range of outcomes. While music as an intervention for hospital patients has subject to considerable evaluation, many of these studies are small and findings are therefore often contradictory. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of music as an intervention for hospital patients.
A comprehensive search was undertaken involving all major health care databases. For studies to be included in the review they must have investigated the effect of music, involved adult hospital patients and used a randomized controlled trial design. These studies must also have used outcome measures such as anxiety, satisfaction, pain, mood and vital signs. Identified studies were critically appraised, and then categorized according to whether music was evaluated during normal care delivery or during invasive and unpleasant procedures. When appropriate, studies were combined in a meta-analysis.
A total of 29 studies were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which 10 were subsequently excluded following critical appraisal. Music played via headphones reduces anxiety of patients during normal care deliver, but it has no impact on the anxiety of patients undergoing procedures such as bronchoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or surgery with a spinal anaesthetic. Music produces a small reduction in respiratory rate during normal care delivery, but appears to have little effect on other vital sign parameters. It has no impact on the vital signs of patients undergoing procedures. Although the evidence is limited, music also appears improve the mood and tolerance of patients.
This review demonstrates the effectiveness of music for the reduction of anxiety during normal care deliver. Given the inexpensive nature of this intervention, and the lack of adverse events, it is recommended as an adjunct to normal care practices. This review also highlights the need for further research into many aspect of this intervention.
Reiki is an ancient healing method with roots in both Chinese Medicine and Christian healing. It is a treatment used by individuals as an alternative and complement to Western medical treatment. Reiki has increased in popularity over the past decade, but remains understudied. Methodological and philosophical reasons for why it is difficult to conduct research on the efficacy of Reiki are discussed. The reasons for the increased success of Reiki as an alternative and complementary healing method in the Western world are addressed, as well as the practice of Reiki as a healing method for self and others.
Reiki is a vibrational, or subtle energy, therapy most commonly facilitated by light touch, which is believed to balance the biofield and strengthen the body's ability to heal itself. Although systematic study of efficacy is scant thus far, Reiki is increasingly used as an adjunct to conventional medical care, both in and out of hospital settings. This article will describe the practice and review the history and theory of Reiki, giving readers a context for the growing popularity of this healing modality. Programs that incorporate Reiki into the clinical setting will be discussed, as well as important considerations in setting up such a program. Finally, the research literature to date on Reiki will be reviewed and evaluated, and directions for future Reiki research will be suggested.
This study evaluates how nurses who gave Reiki therapy perceived the benefit of this therapy on their clients and on themselves concurrently as providers of the therapy. As an adjunct, the study's purpose was to enhance the understanding and credibility of nurse/Reiki practitioners. In an extensive review of the literature, fewer than 10 studies were found in the last 12 years regarding Reiki therapy. 1–6 Reiki therapy is used as a complementary healing method to enhance an overall sense of well being, reduce pain, decrease stress, and foster relaxation. 7
Patients scheduled for gastrointestinal procedures such as colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy are often anxious and frightened. High levels of anxiety may result in more difficult and painful procedures. Past research has reported education, coping skills, relaxation techniques, and combinations of these including music, have decreased anxiety in patients across many settings. Self-selected music therapy for preprocedural anxiety has not been studied. A randomized controlled trial of 198 patients was undertaken to determine whether 15 minutes of self-selected music reduced preprocedure anxiety. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure patients' anxiety. One-hundred ninety-three men and 5 women comprised the sample with an average age of 61 (SD 10.5). Patients who listened to music (n = 100) reduced their anxiety score from 36.7 (SD 9.1) to 32.3 (SD 10.4), while those who did not listen to music (n = 98) reduced their anxiety score from 36.1 (SD 8.3) to 34.6 (SD 11.5). These differences were statistically significant (F = 7.5, p =.007) after controlling for trait anxiety. There were no significant vital sign changes premusic and postmusic. Music is a noninvasive nursing intervention that can significantly reduce patients' anxiety prior to gastrointestinal procedures. Further research should address using music to reduce anxiety in other procedure areas and testing effectiveness of self-selected versus investigator-selected music in reducing anxiety.
Anxiety is known to cause feelings of uneasiness, tension, and nervousness, and previous studies have noted that anxiety and its effects may have an effect on out-patient sedation for patients undergoing surgical procedures. In this study, we assess the effects of anxiety on 25 outpatients undergoing intravenous sedation for third molar extraction. Before the procedure, subjects completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and intraoperative patient movement was assessed using a subjective scale. We found that patients with a high level of preoperative anxiety had a greater degree of average intraoperative movement (P = .037) and also required a greater amount of propofol to maintain a clinically acceptable level of sedation (P = .0273) when compared with patients with less preoperative anxiety. Increased state anxiety and trait anxiety serve as predictors for an increased total dose requirement of propofol to maintain an acceptable level of sedation (r2 = 0.285, P = .0060, and r2 = 0.233, P = .0146, respectively). An increased level of trait anxiety was also a predictor of an increased degree of average intraoperative movement (r2 = 0.342, P = .0022). Patients who exhibit a high level of preoperative anxiety require a greater total dose of propofol to achieve and maintain a clinically acceptable level of sedation and are more prone to unwanted movement while under sedation.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of aromatherapy to reduce anxiety prior to a scheduled colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A controlled, prospective study was done on a convenience sample of 118 patients. The "state" component of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate patients' anxiety levels pre- and postaromatherapy. The control group was given an inert oil (placebo) for inhalation, and the experimental group was given the essential oil, lavender, for inhalation. The STAI state anxiety raw score revealed that patients were at the 99th (women) and 96th (men) percentiles for anxiety. The intervention group and the control group had similar levels of state anxiety prior to the beginning of the study (t[116] = .47, p = .64). There was no difference in state anxiety levels between pre- and postplacebo inhalation in the control group (t[112] = .48, p = .63). There was no statistical difference in state anxiety levels between pre- and postlavender inhalation in the experimental group (t[120] = .73, p = .47). Although this study did not show aromatherapy to be effective based on statistical analysis, patients did generally report the lavender scent to be pleasant. Lavender is an inexpensive and popular technique for relaxation that can be offered to patients as an opportunity to promote preprocedural stress reduction in a hospital setting.
Reiki touch therapy is a complementary biofield energy therapy that involves the use of hands to help strengthen the body's ability to heal. There is growing interest among nurses to use Reiki in patient care and as a self-care treatment, however, with little supportive empirical research and evidence to substantiate these practices. The purpose of this integrative review is to begin the systematic process of evaluating the findings of published Reiki research. Selected investigations using Reiki for effects on stress, relaxation, depression, pain, and wound healing management, among others is reviewed and summarized. A summary of Reiki studies table illustrates the study descriptions and Reiki treatment protocols specified in the investigations. Synthesis of findings for clinical practice and implications for future research are explored.
This trial compared pain, quality of life, and analgesic use in a sample of patients with cancer pain (n=24) who received either standard opioid management plus rest (Arm A) or standard opioid management plus Reiki (Arm B). Participants either rested for 1.5 hr on Days 1 and 4 or received two Reiki treatments (Days 1 and 4) one hour after their first afternoon analgesic dose. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain ratings, blood pressure, heart rate, and respirations were obtained before and after each treatment/rest period. Analgesic use and VAS pain scores were reported for 7 days. Quality of life was assessed on Days 1 and 7. Participants in Arm B experienced improved pain control on Days 1 and 4 following treatment, compared to Arm A, and improved quality of life, but no overall reduction in opioid use. Future research will determine the extent to which the benefits attributed to Reiki in this study may have been due to touch.
Reiki therapy: The benefits to a nurse/Reiki practitioner.
- Whelan
The use of complementary and alternative medicines by surgical patients: A follow-up survey.
- Wang
Harnessing life energy or wishful thinking?
- Witte