title: Symptomatic improvement reported after receiving Reiki at a cancer infusion center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patient-perceived benefits from receiving Reiki at a cancer infusion center.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 6-month period, adults at a university hospital receiving Reiki through volunteer services were invited to complete a survey asking about perceived changes after Reiki. Changes in pain, mood, distress, sleep, and appetite were rated on a 5-point scale from no benefit to great benefit. Surveys were distributed after completing treatment and were returned in postage-paid envelops.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 145 surveys were completed (34.5% response rate), with 47 participants seen in the cancer infusion center and 98 in other areas of the hospital. Reiki was rated as a positive experience by 94% at the cancer center and 93% of others, with 92% at the cancer center and 86% of others interested in receiving additional Reiki sessions. Symptomatic improvement was similar for people at the cancer center and others, respectively, with much to great improvement for 89% and 86% for relaxation, 75% and 75% for anxiety/worry, 81% and 78% for improved mood, 43% and 35% for improved sleep, 45% and 49% for reduced pain, 38% and 43% for reduced isolation/loneliness, 75% and 63% for improved attitude, and 30% and 30% for improved appetite. Response was unaffected by previous exposure to Reiki, massage, or other touch therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reiki results in a broad range of symptomatic benefits, including improvements in common cancer-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA. marcusd@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Dawn A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blazek-O'Neill
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kopar
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D001066:Appetite; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D012890:Sleep; D019124:Therapeutic Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome