Autonomic nervous system changes during Reiki treatment: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate if a complementary therapy, Reiki, has any effect on indices of autonomic nervous system function.


METHODS
Blind trial.


METHODS
Quiet room in an out-patient clinic.


METHODS
Forty-five (45) subjects assigned at random into three groups.


METHODS
Three treatment conditions: no treatment (rest only); Reiki treatment by experienced Reiki practitioner; and placebo treatment by a person with no knowledge of Reiki and who mimicked the Reiki treatment.


METHODS
Quantitative measures of autonomic nervous system function such as heart rate, cardiac vagal tone, blood pressure, cardiac sensitivity to baroreflex, and breathing activity were recorded continuously for each heartbeat. Values during and after the treatment period were compared with baseline data.


RESULTS
Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the Reiki group compared to both placebo and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates that Reiki has some effect on the autonomic nervous system. However, this was a pilot study with relatively few subjects and the changes were relatively small. The results justify further, larger studies to look at the biological effects of Reiki treatment.
Mackay
Nicola
N
Institute of Neurological Sciences, South Glasgow University Hospital NHS Trust, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, Scotland, UK.
Hansen
Stig
S
McFarlane
Oona
O
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D012016:Reference Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019124:Therapeutic Touch / Q000379:methods