title: Effects of Reiki on anxiety, depression, pain, and physiological factors in community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Reiki as an alternative and complementary approach to treating community-dwelling older adults who experience pain, depression, and/or anxiety. Participants (N = 20) were randomly assigned to either an experimental or wait list control group. The pre- and posttest measures included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Faces Pain Scale, and heart rate and blood pressure. The research design included an experimental component to examine changes in these measures and a descriptive component (semi-structured interview) to elicit information about the experience of having Reiki treatments. Significant differences were observed between the experimental and treatment groups on measures of pain, depression, and anxiety; no changes in heart rate and blood pressure were noted. Content analysis of treatment notes and interviews revealed five broad categories of responses: Relaxation; Improved Physical Symptoms, Mood, and Well-Being; Curiosity and a Desire to Learn More; Enhanced Self-Care; and Sensory and Cognitive Responses to Reiki.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health Professions, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine 04104-9300, USA. richeson@usm.maine.edu
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Richeson
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Spross
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008281:Maine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019124:Therapeutic Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome