Feb 05 2009
Another reiki study
The November December 2006 issue of Holistic Nursing Practice discussed results of reiki use in a small study involving a total of 22 patients undergoing the same surgical procedure. Ten of the patients received three 30 minute reiki sessions (one before surgery, one 24 hours after, and one 48 hours after) along with traditional nursing care, while 12 other patients received traditional nursing care. Each standardized reiki session included 10 hand positions, each held for 3 minutes and each practitioner held a nursing license and at least level III reiki training.
The study suggests reiki may have an effect on postoperative pain and anxiety. The group receiving reiki reported less pain, less anxiety, and requested less pain medication. The preoperative reiki relaxed some patients so much, they fell asleep during or right after the reiki treatment.
Source
Vitale, Anne T. MSN, APRN, BC; O’Connor, Priscilla C. PhD, APRN, BC The Effect of Reiki on Pain and Anxiety in Women With Abdominal Hysterectomies: A Quasi-experimental Pilot Study. Holistic Nursing Practice. 20(6):263-272, November/December 2006.
