What Was the Study About?

This study looked at how Reiki, a type of energy healing, affects stress levels in people who take care of cancer patients. Caregiving can be very stressful, affecting both physical and emotional health.

How Was the Study Done?

• Participants: 42 women who were the main caregivers for cancer patients.
• Groups:
  • One group received real Reiki once a week for 6 weeks.
  • The other group got sham Reiki (where no energy was actually used) as a comparison.
• Measurements: Researchers checked stress levels using surveys, measured blood pressure and heart rate, and tested saliva for cortisol (a stress hormone).

What Did the Study Find?

1. Lower Stress: Caregivers who received real Reiki felt less stressed than those in the sham Reiki group.
2. Better Health Markers:
   • Blood pressure and heart rate decreased after each Reiki session.
   • However, there was no major change in cortisol levels.
3. Caregivers’ Opinions:
   • Most caregivers in the Reiki group said they felt more relaxed and were better able to handle their responsibilities.
   • Some also reported improvements in physical issues like body pain and digestion.
   • Many believed Reiki could also help the cancer patients they cared for.

Conclusion

Reiki helped lower stress and improved blood pressure and heart rate, making caregiving easier. It did not significantly change cortisol levels, but participants felt overall better. Many caregivers suggested that Reiki should be used more widely in healthcare.

Original Study Reference:

Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial

Ulviye Ozcan Yüce, Sultan Tas, 2021

 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102708