Reiki method in physical therapy and rehabilitation (researchs' review)

Abstract

Bioenergy therapy method Reiki, existing since 1922, is widespread in Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and the former Soviet Union. According to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Reiki belongs to the methods of com­plementary and alternative medicine, but is increasingly used as a standard procedure in hospitals, hospices and rehabilitation centers. Most of the published results of Reiki efficacy studies relate to pain relief, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. The effects of Reiki for reducing the effects of strokes, epilepsy, normalization of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems in the rehabilitation and overcoming the effects of distress are studied. Studies concern humans, animals, and bacterial cultures. Special attention should be paid to recent studies conducted with a large number of patients, design and methods of evaluation of results that meet the standards of modern traditional evidence-based medicine. To determine promising areas for further research, PubMed information on the proven effects of Reiki on chronic and acute pain, stress-induced states, motor and sensitivity functions, immunity, metabolic and hormonal processes, inflammation, edema, microcirculation in the perspective of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Among the studies of the last twenty years are studies with small samples of patients and animals, which contain interesting hypotheses about the possible mechanisms of action of Reiki. In particular, this is a study by Dyer N.L. et al. (2019). The high interest of researchers in Reiki therapy and good acceptance of the method by many patients were noted. Researchers constantly note that the study of the effectiveness of Reiki should be continued, and determine what part of the effect belongs to the placebo. Other aspects of impact require standardization of methods, randomization, blinding, and strict control of results. Keywords: Reiki, physical therapy, rehabilitation, clinical effects, evidence-based medicine.