Pain management and mental well-being are crucial goals of health care. Pain is an unpleasant sensory associated with tissue damage and is often linked to social and psychological components. Pain is frequently related to psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. Extensive research exists on interventions that can help alleviate pain and improve the well-being of patients. Researchers have investigated Reiki therapy as a potential intervention for pain management. Reiki is translated to “universal life energy,” where “Rei” refers to universal while “ki” refers to life energy. Reiki therapy has roots in Japanese traditions, and the practice was first in the early 20th century by Dr. Usui.
Reiki Therapy and Its Basics
The article begins with an introduction to Reiki therapy and its background to provide a foundation for discussing the treatment’s possible applications in healthcare (Abdurahman & Payne, 2022). With such a strong emphasis on pain management and overall well-being, effective interventions to address critical patient care areas, such as Reiki, are needed. According to Abdurahman & Payne (2022), the foundation of Reiki is the idea of universal life energy, which, in an unbroken flow, can promote equilibrium and a feeling of well-being while empowering the body’s innate capacity for self-healing on a mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual level. When giving a full body scan, the Reiki practitioner has the client lie on a couch or seat, clothed, and can gently apply pressure to specific body parts or hoover their hands above the client’s body. Although it has yet to be thoroughly defined, Reiki can also be sent remotely. In Level 1 training, Reiki Masters and Teachers attune students to the Reiki energy for self-treatment, friends, and family, and at Level 2, they teach them how to transmit Reiki distantly. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies like Reiki is expanding. Hospitals offer integrative care (IC), or integrative medicine (IM), to achieve optimal health and healing. IC emphasizes the value of treating the patient as a whole—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—and employing all appropriate evidence-based therapeutic and lifestyle approaches and healthcare disciplines. Although Reiki practitioners primarily engage in private practices, hospitals and hospices are beginning to accept complementary health providers, including Reiki practitioners, as part of IC. (Abdurahman & Payne, 2022).
Reiki Therapy for Addressing Chronic Pain Among COVID-19 Patients
Billot et al. (2021) investigated the possibility of using Reiki therapy to address chronic pain among COVID-19 patients. The researcher revisited the working mechanism of Reiki therapy and its suitability in COVID-19 cases. When administering Reiki therapy, the practitioner is a source of energy, which they channel to the patient. COVID-19 resulted in a lot of emotional and physical pain, considering its ravaging nature. Billot et al. (2021) found that Reiki therapy effectively addressed emotional states, including anxiety, worry, frustration, sadness, anger, and stress. These are common issues among COVID-19 patients, especially those in critical condition at the onset of the pandemic. Billot et al. (2021) noted that there was no concrete evidence of the effectiveness of Reiki therapy in chronic pain conditions. However, many who have used Reiki therapy have reported feeling better afterward. Billot et al. (2021) observed that there is a need to conduct random controlled trials to generate concrete evidence on the effectiveness of the intervention.
Billot et al. (2021) investigated the accessibility of Reiki to patients. The researchers found that the intervention was accessible to all people without restrictions. It was, therefore, applicable to patients battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Dyer et al. (2022) conducted a study through a single-arm pragmatic efficacy trial with post-Reiki sessions by way of qualitative questioning. The primary goal of the research was to assess the wide range of subjective experiences using Reiki. The study was conducted in private Reiki clinics around the United States. The subjects included 99 Reiki practitioners who all fulfilled the inclusion requirements and participated in the research. Before and following the Reiki treatment, reiki practitioners asked each of their clients to fill out a questionnaire. Out of the 1575 Reiki sessions documented, 1284 (82%) had qualitative replies completed, which were then incorporated into the study. The interventions applied were in-person Reiki treatments that lasted 45 to 90 minutes and were led by skilled and knowledgeable Reiki masters. Following treatment, participants were requested to share their experiences during their sessions.
Through a qualitative analysis, eight primary themes were identified:
(1) profound calm and relaxation (68%)
(2) bodily experiences/body sensations (53%)
(3) emotions (29%)
(4) spiritual or symbolic significance (18%)
(5) symptom changes (17%)
(6) perception changes (11%)
(7) sleep and drowsiness (10%)
(8) breathing changes (4%).
Billot et al. delve into how Reiki – a complementary and alternative health (CAM) intervention – can help alleviate chronic pain as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, they illuminate the varying forms of distress, both psychologically and physically, that this international crisis has created and demonstrate how Reiki has the potential to alleviate these hardships. They accentuate the necessity and the benefit of further research in this field.
Qualitative Analysis of the Subjective Experience of Receiving Reiki
While a more significant proportion of females reported bodily sensations, emotions, visual perceptions, and spiritual importance, a significantly more considerable proportion of males reported feeling relaxed and experiencing alterations in time perception (Dyer et al., 2022). Dyer et al. (2022) concluded that the results of this study indicate that Reiki can induce a calming reaction, modify feelings and perception, and ultimately enable a transforming subjective healing experience. Subsequent research endeavors will scrutinize these features regarding symptom alterations and juxtapose the Reiki encounter with alternative biofield therapies. This study demonstrates Reiki’s potential as a modality that can positively impact mental well-being due to participants’ reports of profound calming effects and perceptions changing, supporting the need for further investigation into Reiki’s effects.
Pilot Study of a Remote Reiki Program for Frontline Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19
The pilot study conducted by Dyer et al.(2023) on remote Reiki for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals frontline workers’ stress and wellness concerns. Their results show that Reiki had a boost in wellness and sleep quality, highlighting that Reiki deserves to be studied as a supportive intervention.
Dyer et al. (2023) carried out a practical within-subject pilot study of a remote Reiki program for the symptoms of frontline healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 epidemic. The subjects were healthcare workers in the United Kingdom, such as doctors, nurses, and paramedics, who were invited to participate in the research study and could enroll in a remote Reiki program. The study occurred over four days; eight Reiki practitioners concurrently administered each participant 20 minutes of remote Reiki healing. The study’s viability was evaluated regarding recruitment, data completeness, acceptability, intervention fidelity, and a first assessment of modifications to the outcome measures. Participants’ stress, anxiety, pain, wellness, and sleep quality were assessed using seven-point numerical rating measures. The necessary steps were taken before and after the final Reiki session (post). Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were used to assess the data before and after (Dyer et al., 2023).
The results yielded seventy-nine medical professionals who completed the baseline assessments and registered to receive Reiki. Of those, 40 finished the 4-day intervention’s post-measures, making them a part of the pre-post analysis. The mean age of the participants was 43.9 years old (standard deviations = 11.2), with 97.5% being female. Dyer et al. (2023) found that the survey was doable with acceptable uptake, feasibility, fidelity, and data completeness. Wilcoxon signed ranks check results showed substantial positive change in well-being (M = −1.79; P <.001) and sleep quality (M = −1.33; P =.019), as well as constructive changes in stress (M = −2.33; P <.001), anxiety (M = −2.79; P <.001), and pain (M = −.79; P <.001). Consequently, this report concludes that the Reiki program was achievable and strongly related to better well-being and sleep quality among key healthcare workers with COVID-19 hazards and mitigating stress, worry, and pain (Dyer et al., 2023).
Acceptance and Use of Reiki as an Adjunct Therapy for Chronic Pain in Military Healthcare Facilities
In their study, Gantt and Orina (2020) explored whether Reiki therapy could be effective in the context of military training. Prior research demonstrated that, while Reiki has been used ubiquitously in other care areas, it was not widely adopted in US military agencies. According to the Surgeon General Pain Management Task Force report in 2010, proper personnel development necessitated CAM. Military training causes anxiety, chronic pain, restlessness, and stress, which CAM can correct. The use of Reiki to address these challenges has been brought forward, and military healthcare institutions are training their staff on administering the intervention. The Comfort for American Uniformed Services (CAUSE), a facility that cares for injured military personnel, has given Reiki treatment as part of its pain management care.
Gantt and Orina (2020) provided a six-month educational intervention on Reiki for military personnel. The intervention covered the use of Reiki and the misinformation about it. The researchers assessed the study using a 5-item Reiki Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire before and after administering the intervention. Also, the researchers used a Brief Pain Inventory Short Form to determine the time sensory component of pain. The researchers used a numeric scale to investigate the worst, most minor, and present pain. There were critical pain interferences related to walking, sleep, mood, activity, relationships, and enjoyment, which would determine the effectiveness of the Reiki intervention. The researchers observed a significant reduction in pain when the participants went for the fourth session. Reiki intervention significantly impacted 12 of the 22 participants who were assessed in a positive direction. According to Gantt and Orina (2020), participants will continue to use Reiki intervention if they find it helpful. In the post-intervention scores, participants were interested in increasing the number of sessions to four per month significantly, and they reported feeling better in overall health.
Furthermore, Reiki can be incorporated into walking activities to improve patients’ quality of life. The authors Gantt and Orina (2020) stated that patients experienced relieved pain when Reiki therapy was part of their walking. Lastly, patients’ well-being is improved as Reiki therapy supports better sleep, enjoyment of life, relationships, and general well-being. According to Gantt and Orina (2020), a new and innovative intervention, Reiki, is suitable for pain management in any setting. Military training facilities, for example, require specialized interventions due to the performative intensity of exercises and training. The willingness of the subjects to add more sessions indicated that the Reiki sessions were practical in assessing pain-related physical and psychological issues.
Consequently, Gantt & Orina (2020) conclude that a 30-minute Reiki session administered by a trained practitioner would be appropriate in an outpatient setting. It has been noted that Reiki can be beneficial in targeting pain and the intrusions connected with pain, for example, ambulation and sleeping. However, Gantt and Orina(2020) identified a significant need for education, specifically when utilizing Reiki intervention in groups with specific ticketing for the military. For individuals coping with pain, the study highlights the use of Reiki as a method in the healing process to improve quality of life. It brings attention to the importance of educating select groups of people, like the military, on the beneficial factors of Reiki.
Impact of Practitioners and Relationships on the Effectiveness of Energy Interventions
Wahbeh et al. (2021) investigated the impact of the practitioner and relationships on the effectiveness of energy interventions. The researchers established that the practitioners influenced their energy, and energy from other sources had limited influence. The power from non-physical spaces had a significant effect on the practitioners. The application of the energy interventions, which are related to Reiki, has a spiritual aspect. The practitioners are most effective when they manipulate the energy in the patients. Practitioners work by moving, transferring, or changing the energy in their patients. Wahbeh et al. (2021) observed a need to do more research and add to the emerging evidence on the use of energy medicine. Energy medicine is multifaceted and heavily relies on the foundation of the Reiki intervention intervention. While energy medicine such as Reiki can be self-administered, one must have the right skills and knowledge. Most of the knowledge on these interventions is in the building stages; hence, there is a crucial need for enormous research to extend the existing ability to other fields. This article illuminates the multifaceted nature of energy healing and reinforces the importance of further research to deepen our understanding and utilization of such interventions. The study of Reiki’s effects on anxiety by Webster et al. in mental health settings emphasizes how valuable it is to use Reiki as a complementary therapy.
Reiki’s Impact on Anxiety and Well-being in Mental Health Settings
Reiki sessions are crucial in therapy as they help clients practice presence, explore body-mind, clear and release energy blocks, and install corrective experience. Considering the low penetration of the Reiki intervention in mental health applications, Webster et al. (2019) resulted in a single case research design. The researchers aimed to have a deeper understanding of the Reiki intervention and evaluate the intervention itself. Webster et al. (2019) found that psychotherapeutic Reiki effectively reduced anxiety among the participants. Three participants showed a positive result in the study, while the fourth participant reported no change after the intervention. Psychotherapeutic Reiki had the most significant impact on the worry and oversensitivity of the participants. The researchers observed that there was an improvement in psychological anxiety and stress. After the interventions, the participants were less worried about social issues that troubled them before the intervention. There is an emerging need for research considering the limitations of the current studies. Reiki is yet to be entirely accepted and utilized as a relatively new technique in Western medicine. The method has been recognized in England and Scotland, which paves the way for its credibility. In the United States, Reiki interventions are mainly applied at the institutional level, especially when addressing mental health-related issues. The practice has been used to treat pain for decades in Japan; thus, it has the potential to be fully embraced in Western medicine to complement other pain management techniques. Healthcare providers are moving to evidence-based practices; hence, adopting Reiki interventions will significantly depend on research findings.
There is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of Reiki interventions. Researchers agree that limited research explicitly addresses the efficacy of Reiki interventions. Most of the current study investigates the impact of Reiki after it is administered to address other healthcare issues. Reiki has shown negligible impact in some cases, hence the hesitation in its adoption as a complementary intervention. While some studies have recorded positive results, most findings are based on self-reporting cases by patients who use the intervention. Therefore, a crucial need is to conduct randomized controlled trials that generate high-confidence evidence. Reiki can be applied in diverse medical fields. Reiki is an energy medication most researchers have limited their scope to mental health. The nature of Reiki interventions makes them suitable when addressing stress, anxiety, fear, and worry, among others. However, the intervention has the potential to help patients undergoing physical pain because of the psychological associations between physical pain and the human mind. There is a crucial need to build evidence on the use of Reiki interventions here in the United States to alleviate physical pain and aid in mental well-being. Reiki intervention has been previously investigated as a complementary therapy, which could provide the foundation for future studies.
Gaps in Literature
The current research literature in Reiki therapy revealed several gaps and conflicts, which this study attempts to fill. First of all, the issues addressed that the effectiveness of Reiki as an intervention for pain management and mental well-being are conflicting. While Billot et al. (2021) showed in their research that Reiki effectively affected emotional states among COVID-19 patients, they concluded that more evidence needed to be demonstrated for its effectiveness on chronic pain conditions. On the other hand, Webster et al. (2019) reported positive outcomes regarding anxiety reduction through Reiki sessions in a mental health setting. The contradictory results of the studies point to the necessity for a more profound examination of the effectiveness of Reiki—specifically, a thorough examination must be done into different healthcare milieus.
A further deficit in the body of literature is the minimal examination of Reiki’s utilization within specialized settings, such as military healthcare facilities (Gantt & Orina, 2020). The exploratory study by Gantt and Orina demonstrates that Reiki as an adjunct therapy for chronic pain may be beneficial; however, further research is needed to evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness within this particular context (Gantt & Orina, 2020). Moreover, Wahbeh et al. (2021) state the necessity of progressing the exploration of energy interventions concerning Reiki. Wahbeh et al. (2021) further note that a comprehensive understanding of the roles of practitioners and relationships is needed to bring about the desired effects.
Given these conflicts and gaps, we aim to address the literature by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of Reiki therapy, specifically for the relief of pain and improvement of mental well-being across healthcare settings. By examining recipient experiences and their impact on different populations, the research should provide insights and bridge the current gaps to understand Reiki as a complementary therapeutic option better.
Conclusion
The literature reviewed in this paper has given relevant information supporting the statement of the problem and strongly reinforcing the rationale of our study. The literature review has demonstrated contradictions and differences in the perception of Reiki therapy effectiveness, mainly in the field of pain management and mental health. Such conflicts show the need for additional studies to provide solid evidence on how Reiki affects people. In addition, the literature emphasizes the brilliance of Reiki therapy, varying from its ability to be used as therapy to help patients with COVID-19 manage their emotional states to the implementation of Reiki therapy to reduce anxiety in mental health settings. Such a range of contexts highlights the significance of this study, which is aimed at determining the effectiveness of Reiki in different healthcare institutions and patient groups. Also, the literature highlights the need to address research gaps in the mentioned specific settings, such as military healthcare facilities and energy interventions. This study aims to close the identified gaps in the literature. These gaps examine Reiki therapy’s feasibility and impact in different settings while considering the practitioners and relationships. The whole literature review is not only the evidence that the problem is validated by shining conflicts and gaps but also the strong evidence to justify the purpose of this study. It highlights the necessity of investigating Reiki therapy as a potential alternative therapeutic modality, which can assist in revealing its effect on pain control and emotional health in distinct healthcare institutions and diverse populations.
References
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Wahbeh, H., Niebauer, E., Delorme, A., Carpenter, L., Radin, D., & Yount, G. (2021). A case study of extended human capacity perception during Energy Medicine treatments using mixed methods analysis. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 17(1), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2020.10.006
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