Reiki therapy for postoperative oral pain in pediatric patients: pilot data from a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of Reiki as an adjuvant therapy to opioid therapy for postoperative pain control in pediatric patients.


METHODS
This was a double-blind, randomized controlled study of children undergoing dental procedures. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Reiki therapy or the control therapy (sham Reiki) preoperatively. Postoperative pain scores, opioid requirements, and side effects were assessed. Family members were also asked about perioperative care satisfaction. Multiple linear regressions were used for analysis.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight children participated. The blinding procedure was successful. No statistically significant difference was observed between groups on all outcome measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides a successful example of a blinding procedure for Reiki therapy among children in the perioperative period. This study does not support the effectiveness of Reiki as an adjuvant therapy to opioid therapy for postoperative pain control in pediatric patients.
Department of Anesthesiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Anjana
A
Kundu
Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Yuting
Y
Lin
Children's Core for Biomedical Statistics, Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
Assaf P
AP
Oron
Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: doorenbo@uw.edu.
Ardith Z
AZ
Doorenbos
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019124:Therapeutic Touch / Q000379:methods*
Analgesics, opioid; Pain management; Pain, postoperative; Reiki therapy