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

Abstract

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

Effects of Distant Reiki On Pain, Anxiety and Fatigue in Oncology Patients in Turkey: A Pilot Study

“…A study with cancer patients showed that Reiki is not effective on pain (Olson et al, 2003). A study showed that to Reiki reduction of 50% in mean scores of pain after each chemotherapy treatment (Birocco et al, 2012). Another study reported that Reiki decreased pain, depression, and anxiety in chronically ill people (Dressin and Singg, 1998).…”

Effect of Reiki on Symptom Management in Oncology

“…There was not a statistically effective in the pilot group (Potter, 2007). Birocco et al (2012) found that the sessions were considered helpful to improve well-being (70%), relaxation (88%), pain relief (45%), sleep quality (34%), and reduce anxiety. Reiki seems to be a promising aid in anxiety control, with a marked reduction in the mean score after each treatment and a decrease of one third after 4 treatments.…”

“…Pain reduction of 50% in mean scores after each treatment. The statistical significance between the first and the fourth treatment (Birocco et al, 2012). Lee et al (2008) conducted a systematic review of RCTs for the purpose of investigating whether Reiki is beneficial for pain management.…”

“…Rei (sometimes thought of as a supreme being) and ki (meaning universal life energy) (Lee et al, 2008;Richeson et al, 2010;Birocco et al, 2012). Everything in the universe is made up of energy.…”

“…Reiki is a energy approaches and akin to Qigong, therapeutic touch. It is a system of laying on of hands which Reiki advocates believe has the capacity to heal the physical body and mind, and bring emotional and spiritual balance (Potter, 2007;Bowden et al, 2010;Birocco et al, 2012).…”