title: Investigation of standard care versus sham Reiki placebo versus actual Reiki therapy to enhance comfort and well-being in a chemotherapy infusion center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether provision of Reiki therapy during outpatient chemotherapy is associated with increased comfort and well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-blind, randomized clinical controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient chemotherapy center.
  
  
  METHODS
  189 participants were randomized to actual Reiki, sham Reiki placebo, or standard care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly placed into one of three groups. Patients received either standard care, a placebo, or an actual Reiki therapy treatment. A demographic tool and pre- and post-tests were given before and after chemotherapy infusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reiki therapy, sham Reiki placebo therapy, standard care, and self-reported levels of comfort and well-being pre- and postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although Reiki therapy was statistically significant in raising the comfort and well-being of patients post-therapy, the sham Reiki placebo also was statistically significant. Patients in the standard care group did not experience changes in comfort and well-being during their infusion session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that the presence of an RN providing one-on-one support during chemotherapy was influential in raising comfort and well-being levels, with or without an attempted healing energy field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An attempt by clinic nurses to provide more designated one-to-one presence and support for patients while receiving their chemotherapy infusions could increase patient comfort and well-being.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, USA. catlin@sonoma.edu
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catlin
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Taylor-Ford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010919:Placebos; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D019124:Therapeutic Touch / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010919:Placebos