<p>J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2014 Nov 6. pii: 2156587214556313</p><p>The Effects of Reiki Therapy and Companionship on Quality of Life, Mood, and Symptom Distress During Chemotherapy. Orsak G1, Stevens AM2, Brufsky A3, Kajumba M1, Dougall AL4.</p><p>Author information </p><p> 1The University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA.  2Reiki Spirit and Life, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.  3University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.  4The University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA [email protected].</p><p>Abstract</p><p>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.</p><p>Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Mar;6(1):25-35.</p><p>Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue. Tsang KL1, Carlson LE, Olson K.</p><p>Author information </p><p> 1Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.</p><p>Abstract</p><p>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. This study was a counterbalanced crossover trial of 2 conditions: (1) in the Reiki condition, participants received Reiki for 5 consecutive daily sessions, followed by a 1-week washout monitoring period of no treatments, then 2 additional Reiki sessions, and finally 2 weeks of no treatments, and (2) in the rest condition, participants rested for approximately 1 hour each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 1-week washout monitoring period of no scheduled resting and an additional week of no treatments. In both conditions, participants completed questionnaires investigating cancer-related fatigue (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Fatigue subscale [FACT- F]) and overall quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, General Version [FACT-G]) before and after all Reiki or resting sessions. They also completed a visual analog scale (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]) assessing daily tiredness, pain, and anxiety before and after each session of Reiki or rest. Sixteen patients (13 women) participated in the trial: 8 were randomized to each order of conditions (Reiki then rest; rest then Reiki). They were screened for fatigue on the ESAS tiredness item, and those scoring greater than 3 on the 0 to 10 scale were eligible for the study. They were diagnosed with a variety of cancers, most commonly colorectal (62.5%) cancer, and had a median age of 59 years. 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. Future research should further investigate the impact of Reiki using more highly controlled designs that include a sham Reiki condition and larger sample sizes.</p><p>Pain Manag Nurs. 2014 Feb 27. pii: S1524-9042(13)00080-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2013.07.008. [Epub ahead of print]</p><p>Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations. Thrane S1, Cohen SM2.</p><p>Author information </p><p> 1University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Research in Cancer Survivorship, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: [email protected].  2University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Research in Cancer Survivorship, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</p><p>Abstract</p><p>The objective of this study was to calculate the effect of Reiki therapy for pain and anxiety in randomized clinical trials. A systematic search of PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, Global Health, and Medline databases was conducted using the search terms pain, anxiety, and Reiki. The Center for Reiki Research also was examined for articles. Studies that used randomization and a control or usual care group, used Reiki therapy in one arm of the study, were published in 2000 or later in peer-reviewed journals in English, and measured pain or anxiety were included. After removing duplicates, 49 articles were examined and 12 articles received full review. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria: four articles studied cancer patients, one examined post-surgical patients, and two analyzed community dwelling older adults. Effect sizes were calculated for all studies using Cohen's d statistic. Effect sizes for within group differences ranged from d = 0.24 for decrease in anxiety in women undergoing breast biopsy to d = 2.08 for decreased pain in community dwelling adults. The between group differences ranged from d = 0.32 for decrease of pain in a Reiki versus rest intervention for cancer patients to d = 4.5 for decrease in pain in community dwelling adults. Although the number of studies is limited, based on the size Cohen's d statistics calculated in this review, there is evidence to suggest that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety. Continued research using Reiki therapy with larger sample sizes, consistently randomized groups, and standardized treatment protocols is recommended.</p><p>Holist Nurs Pract. 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):376-80. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000052.</p><p>Initiating a Reiki or CAM Program in a Healthcare Organization- Developing a Business Plan. Vitale A. Author information </p><p> InnerlightResearch, LLC, Toms River, NJ and Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, faculty adjunct.</p><p>Abstract</p><p>Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services, such as Reiki, continue to be offered to consumers in many hospitals and other health care organizations. There is growing interest among nurses, doctors, and other health care providers for the integration of CAM therapies into traditional settings. Health care organizations are responding to this need but may not know how to start CAM programs. Starting a Reiki program in a health care setting must be envisioned in a business model approach. This article introduces nurses and other health care providers to the basic concepts of business plan development and important steps to follow when starting a Reiki or CAM program</p><p>Holist Nurs Pract. 2011 Sep-Oct;25(5):238-45. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0b013e31822a02ad.</p><p>Reiki and its journey into a hospital setting. Kryak E1, Vitale A.</p><p>Author information </p><p> 1Department of Nursing Informatics, Abington Health, Pennsylvania 19001, USA. [email protected]</p><p>Abstract</p><p>There is a growing interest among health care providers, especially professional nurses to promote caring-healing approaches in patient care and self-care. Health care environments are places of human caring and holistic nurses are helping to lead the way that contemporary health care institutions must become holistic places of healing. The practice of Reiki as well as other practices can assist in the creation of this transformative process. Abington Memorial Hospital (AMH) in Abington, Pennsylvania is a Magnet-designated health care facility with an Integrative Medicine Services Department. AMH's Integrative Medicine staff focuses on the integration of holistic practices, such as Reiki into traditional patient care. Reiki services at AMH were initiated about 10 years ago through the efforts of a Reiki practitioner/nurse and the vision that healing is facilitated through the nurturing of the mind, body, and spirit for healing and self-healing. AMHs-sustained Reiki program includes Reiki treatments and classes for patients, health care providers, and community members. This program has evolved to include a policy and annual competency for any Reiki-trained nurse and other employees to administer Reiki treatments at the bedside.</p><p>Holist Nurs Pract. 2007 Jul-Aug;21(4):167-79; quiz 180-1. An integrative review of Reiki touch therapy research. Vitale A.</p><p>Author information </p><p> Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA. [email protected]</p><p>Abstract</p><p>Reiki touch therapy is a complementary biofield energy therapy that involves the use of hands to help strengthen the body's ability to heal. There is growing interest among nurses to use Reiki in patient care and as a self-care treatment, however, with little supportive empirical research and evidence to substantiate these practices. The purpose of this integrative review is to begin the systematic process of evaluating the findings of published Reiki research. Selected investigations using Reiki for effects on stress, relaxation, depression, pain, and wound healing management, among others is reviewed and summarized. A summary of Reiki studies table illustrates the study descriptions and Reiki treatment protocols specified in the investigations. Synthesis of findings for clinical practice and implications for future research are explored.</p><p>Nurs Clin North Am. 2007 Jun;42(2):243-59, vi.</p><p>Energy-based modalities. Engebretson J1, Wardell DW.</p><p>Author information </p><p> 1Department of Target Populations, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Room 764, Houston, TX 77030, USA. [email protected]</p><p>Abstract</p><p>Research on touch therapies is still in the early stages of development. Studies of Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reiki are quite promising; however, at this point, they can only suggest that these healing modalities have efficacy in reducing anxiety; improving muscle relaxation; aiding in stress reduction, relaxation, and sense of well-being; promoting wound healing; and reducing pain. The multidimensional aspects of healing inherent in patient care continue to be expanded and facilitated by our understanding and application of energy therapies.</p>