Reiki Effects on Heart Rhythm, Biochemistry and Cortisol Findings, and Anxiety

Ankara Medipol University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Heart Diseases; Anxiety

Treatments: Other: Reiki; Other: Sham Reiki

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05483842

E.60364

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Reiki, which is a complementary and traditional method, on heart rhythm, biochemistry and cortisol findings, and anxiety in individuals with arrhythmia.

Full description

Reiki has an essential place in modern medicine and the nursing profession because it cures many diseases resistant to known treatments, has no side effects, is easy to apply, and is safe, effective, and economical. In the Reiki method, the energy is transferred through the hands, and a care provider nurse is a tool that performs their profession by touching in patient care and also shares the universal life energy, transferring the flowing and formed energy. When the literature is reviewed, there are a limited number of studies in which Reiki affects heart rate, cortisol level, and vital signs. However, there are not enough studies examining the effects of heart patients' symptoms, anxiety, and their condition on Reiki results. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Reiki energy on heart rhythm, biochemistry, cortisol findings, and anxiety in people with arrhythmia.

The study was conducted as a pretest-posttest, randomized prospective, single-blind and placebo-controlled. The study was conducted with patients who applied to a training and research hospital with arrhythmia complaints between April 5 and June 30, 2022. The data was collected using "Personal Information Form (PIF)" and "Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS)". Also, biochemical tests and cortisol findings and ECG (Electrocardiography) analyses were assessed.

PIF and BAS were applied to patients who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria. Then blood was drawn for biochemical tests and cortisol findings and EKG was taken. Patients were randomized 1:1 into groups by a single therapist at a single institution according to a parallel design. There were three treatment arms in the study: Reiki treatment (n=22), Sham Reiki treatment (placebo)(n=22), and a control group with no treatment (n=22). A second-degree Reiki practitioner applied Reiki to the energy centers for 30 minutes in the Reiki group. On the second day, distant Reiki was also conducted for 30 minutes. The Sham Reiki group, on the other hand, was handled similarly to the Reiki practice by a student who had not been trained in Reiki. In the control group, nothing was done. One week later, BAS was applied to all patients, blood was drawn for biochemical testing and an ECG was recorded.

Enrollment: 66 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 and over
• No communication problem
• Diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia
• Who agree to participate in the Reiki practice
• Who is competent to answer the data collection tools to be used in the research
• Patients who have not used complementary practices in the last six months

Exclusion criteria

• Reiki practitioner or trainer,
• Have received energy therapies such as Reiki/therapeutic touch,
• Patients who were diagnosed with another disease during the research process.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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66 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Reiki Group

Experimental group

Description:

Personal Information Form (PIF) and Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) were administered to the Reiki group through face-to-face interviews. Then, blood was taken for biochemical blood and cortisol findings and ECG was taken. After the pre-tests of the patients were completed, the application was made under the guidance of a researcher with a Usui Reiki Master \& Teacher degree and by a researcher with Reiki II training. In accordance with the Reiki Practice Protocol, an empty and silent room was selected in the hospital. Reiki was applied one-on-one to energy centers (crown chakra, forehead chakra, throat chakra, heart chakra, solar plexus, sacral region, root chakra, knees, ankle and feet) for 30 minutes. On the second day, 30 minutes of distant Reiki was applied. BAS was administered 1 week later; ECG was taken and biochemistry blood was taken.

Treatment:

Other: Reiki

Sham Reiki Group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Personal Information Form (PIF) and Beck Anxiety Scale (Scale) were administered to this group by face-to-face interviews. Then, blood was taken for biochemical blood and cortisol findings and ECG was taken. After the pre-tests of the patients were completed. The Sham Reiki group was practiced by a student nurse who did not receive Reiki training by imitating the hand positions used in Reiki practice. Before the applications, the researcher, the student was told about aura equalization and chakras, the student only imitated gestures and facial expressions, but did not give Reiki energy to the patients. BAS was administered 1 week later; ECG was taken and biochemistry blood was taken.

Treatment:

Other: Sham Reiki

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Personal Information Form (PIF) and Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) were administered to this group by face-to-face interviews. Then, blood was taken for biochemical blood and cortisol findings and ECG was taken. After 1 week, BAS, blood tests and ECG have applied again.