Using Reiki to manage pain: a preliminary report

Cancer Prev Control. 1997 Jun;1(2):108-13.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness of Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy in the management of pain. Since no studies in this area could be found, a pilot study was carried out involving 20 volunteers experiencing pain at 55 sites for a variety of reasons, including cancer. All Reiki treatments were provided by a certified second-degree Reiki therapist. Pain was measured using both a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a Likert scale immediately before and after the Reiki treatment. Both instruments showed a highly significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in pain following the Reiki treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Bone Diseases / physiopathology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain Management*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pilot Projects
  • Therapeutic Touch / methods*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid