The Use of Reiki and understanding our energetic bodies in conjunction with Science and Medical Treatments
The Power of Reiki: Feasibility and Efficacy of Reducing Pain in Children With Cancer Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Purpose: Reiki is a growing complementary therapy in pediatric oncology that needs evidence to become more credible among the health community. A within-subject design experiment was conducted to pilot testing the feasibility and efficacy of Reiki to provide pain relief among pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Method: Pediatric patients undergoing HSCT during the inpatient phase in the Stem Cell Transplantation Unit were eligible to participate to the pilot study. Short and medium effects were assessed investigating the increase or decrease of patient's pain during three specific time periods ("delta") of the day: morning of the Reiki session versus assessment before Reiki session (within subjects control period), assessment before Reiki session versus assessment after Reiki session (within subjects experimental period) and assessment after Reiki session versus morning the day after Reiki session (within subject follow-up period). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using Reiki therapy in pediatric cancer patients undergoing HSCT. Furthermore, these findings evidence that trained pediatric oncology nurses can insert Reiki into their clinical practice as a valid instrument for diminishing suffering from cancer in childhood.
PMID: 31046557
https://doi.org/10.1177/1043454219845879
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Effects of Distant Reiki On Pain, Anxiety and Fatigue in Oncology Patients in Turkey: A Pilot Study.
Fatigue, stress and pain are common symptoms among cancer patients, affecting the quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of distant Reiki on pain, anxiety and fatigue in oncology patients.Participants in the control group received usual medical and nursing care during their stay. The intervention group received usual care plus five distant Reiki sessions, one each night for 30 min. A face to face interview was performed and patient personal and illness related characteristics were evaluated using the Patient Characteristics form. Pain, stress and fatigue were evaluated according to a numeric rating scale.
The results of this study indicate that Reiki may decrease pain, anxiety and fatigue in oncology patients.
PMID:26163604
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DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.12.4859
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http://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201525249375614.page
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The effects of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day oncology and infusion services unit.
Reiki is a system of natural healing techniques administered by laying of hands and transferring energy from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient. We investigated the role of Reiki in the management of anxiety, pain and global wellness in cancer patients. Building on the results of a pilot project conducted between 2003 and 2005 by a volunteer association at our hospital, a wider, 3-year study was conducted at the same center. The 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. 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.
PMID: 21998438
https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909111420859
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The Effects of Reiki Therapy and Companionship on Quality of Life, Mood, and Symptom Distress During Chemotherapy
This pilot study examined the effects of Reiki therapy and companionship on improvements in quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy. Thirty-six breast cancer patients received usual care, Reiki, or a companion during chemotherapy. First, data were collected from patients receiving usual care. Second, patients were randomized to either receive Reiki or a companion during chemotherapy. Questionnaires assessing quality of life, mood, symptom distress, and Reiki acceptability were completed at baseline and chemotherapy sessions 1, 2, and 4. Reiki was rated relaxing with no side effects. Reiki and companion groups reported improvements in quality of life and mood that were greater than those seen in the usual care group. Interventions during chemotherapy, such as Reiki or companionship, are feasible, acceptable, and may reduce side effects.
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25381189/
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Pilot Crossover Trial of Reiki Versus Rest for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue
Fatigue is an extremely common side effect experienced during cancer treatment and recovery. Limited research has investigated strategies stemming from complementary and alternative medicine to reduce cancer-related fatigue. This research examined the effects of Reiki, a type of energy touch therapy, on fatigue, pain, anxiety, and overall quality of life.
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Fatigue on the FACT-F decreased within the Reiki condition (P=.05) over the course of all 7 treatments. In addition, participants in the Reiki condition experienced significant improvements in quality of life (FACT-G) compared to those in the resting condition (P <.05). On daily assessments (ESAS) in the Reiki condition, presession 1 versus postsession 5 scores indicated significant decreases in tiredness (P <.001), pain (P <.005), and anxiety (P<.01), which were not seen in the resting condition.
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17351024/
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Easing the trauma of cancer
Dr David Fennelly, consultant oncologist at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin and the Beacon Hospital in Sandyford, has been involved in the establishment of cancer support centres at both hospitals.
"Complementary therapies should be part of any cancer care plan and therapies such as reiki, massage and aromatherapy provide a non-invasive form of relaxation, great comfort and improved quality of life for people during their treatment," he says.
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https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/easing-the-trauma-of-cancer-1.1019446
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Reiki Therapy Improves Symptoms in Cancer Patients
Gateway for Cancer Research has summarised the benefits received from patients who have had Reiki sessions alongside their traditional medical treatment. Specifically, adults receiving Reiki at a university hospital cancer infusion center reported much to great improvement for: Relaxation (89%) Anxiety and worry (75%) Improved attitude (75%) Improved mood (81%) Improved sleep (43%) Reduced pain (45%) Reduced isolation and loneliness (38%) Improved mood (30%). A separate study similarly found that cancer patients who received their first Reiki session reported a more than 50% decrease in:Distress, Anxiety, Depression, Pain.
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The Electricity of Touch: Detection and Measurement of Cardiac Energy Exchange Between PeopleThe Electricity of Touch: Detection and Measurement of Cardiac Energy Exchange Between People
This study represents one of the first successful attempts to directly measure an energy exchange between people, and provides a solid, testable theory to explain the observed effects of many healing modalities that are based upon the assumption that an energy exchange takes place.
The data presented here clearly show that when people touch or are in proximity, a transference of the electromagnetic energy produced by the heart occurs.
https://www.heartmath.org/assets/uploads/2015/01/electricity-of-touch.pdf
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The Energetic Heart: Bioelectromagnetic Communication Within and Between People
he magnetic component of the heart’s field, which is around 100 times stronger than that produced by the brain, is not impeded by tissues and can be measured several feet away from the body with Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID)-based magnetometers (1). We have also found that the clear rhythmic patterns in beat-to-beat heart rate variability are distinctly altered when different emotions are experienced. These changes in electromagnetic, sound pressure, and blood pressure waves produced by cardiac rhythmic activity are "felt" by every cell in the body, further supporting the heart’s role as a global internal synchronizing signal.
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Immediate Symptom Relief After a First Session of Massage Therapy or Reiki in Hospitalized Patients: A 5-Year Clinical Experience from a Rural Academic Medical Center
We examined the immediate symptom relief from a single reiki or massage session in a hospitalised population at a rural academic medical center. Reiki and massage clinically provide similar improvements in pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being while reiki improved fatigue and anxiety more than massage therapy in a heterogeneous hospitalised patient population.
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PMID: 29620922
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422004/
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Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Reiki on stress levels of individuals caring for patients with cancer. In this study, women who were primary caregivers of patients with cancer treated in a university hospital were randomized to Reiki and sham Reiki groups. The Reiki group received Reiki to nine main points for 45 min, once a week for 6 weeks, while the sham Reiki group received the same points during the same period without starting energy flow. Reiki reduces the stress levels of caregivers, is effective in regulating blood pressure and pulse rate, does not cause a significant change on saliva cortisol level, and provides relief to caregivers. All caregivers stated that they found the caring process less stressful after the Reiki sessions and felt relieved compared with the pre-therapy period, and some of their physical complaints decreased.
PMID: 33675935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102708
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