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Using Reiki to manage pain: a preliminary report
Cancer Prevention & Control : CPC = Prevention & Controle En Cancerologie : PCC
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Reiki therapy significantly reduced pain in a pilot study of 20 volunteers. This complementary therapy shows promise as an addition to traditional pain management, including opioid therapy.
Area of Science:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Pain Management
- Oncology
Background:
- Opioid therapy is a common approach for pain management.
- The use of Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy for pain management has not been extensively studied.
- There is a need to explore non-pharmacological interventions to complement existing pain treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of Reiki as a complementary therapy for pain relief.
- To assess the potential of Reiki to reduce the need for or enhance the efficacy of opioid therapy.
- To gather preliminary data on Reiki's impact on pain in diverse patient populations, including cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 20 volunteers with pain at 55 sites was conducted.
- Reiki treatments were administered by a certified second-degree Reiki therapist.
- Pain levels were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Likert scale before and after Reiki sessions.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant reduction in pain was observed post-Reiki treatment (p < 0.0001).
- Both the VAS and Likert scale indicated a marked decrease in reported pain.
- The findings suggest Reiki's efficacy in alleviating pain across various conditions.
Conclusions:
- Reiki therapy demonstrates significant potential as an adjuvant therapy for pain management.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger, controlled studies.
- Reiki may offer a valuable non-pharmacological option for patients experiencing pain, potentially reducing reliance on opioids.